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Dress, and
3-sep2
6
[Co^ .,^ 1967 I
How to
Improve It
BY
Frances Stuart Parker.
Illustrated.
PRICE, $1.00.
DRESS,
HOW
TO
IMPROVE
IT.
BY
Feances Stuart Parker.
"
Clothes, which began in foolishest love
of Ornament, wliat have they not be-
come ! Increased Security and pleasurable
Heat soon followed: but what of these?
Shame, Divine fShame (ScJiacDn, Modesty),
as yet a stranger to the Anthroixiphagxius
bosom, arose there mysteriously uiider
Clothes
: a mystic, grove-encircled shrine
for the Holy in man. Clothes gave us in-
dividuality, distinctions, social polity
;
Clothes have made Men of us ; they are
threatening to make Clothes-screens of
us."Carlyle.
CHICAGO:
Chicago Legiil News Company.
1897.
TO Till-;
TKAniKK's oi' ami;kmc.\,
wii i;i'iii-;i; i.\ I'lii-: im i.ni', riiK
lldMK, OK lllK
SCHOOL.
('iipyrii.'lit. Is'.iT. liy iMi.wrKs Sti-.\i:t I' aiiki-.i:.
m
DRESS, AND HOW TO IMPROVE IT.
CHAPTER I.
CONVICTION AND CONVERSION.
This ])ainphlet is written as an answer to the numberless
questions anil letters received from women all over the land,
the burden of whose crv is,
'
What shall we do to be sav^ed
"
from the bondao:e of clothes? And it is an endeavor on the
part of the writer to tell as plainly as possible what she has
discovered during fifteen years of actual experimentation in
adapting the conventional dress to changing convictions. This
process has been necessarily a difficult one; it was not an easy
matter to make a decided change from the accustomed to the un-
accustomed in dress; the time had not yet come when a woman
could make, not an evolution, but a revolution, and discard-
ing her old dress, step forth clothed in the new, as easily as
the butterfly does from the chrysalis.
Sixteen years ago, I had the good fortune to be a pupil of Pro-
fessor Lewis B. Monroe, Dean of the Boston University School
of Oratory. He was a man who thoi'oughly believed in physical
culture and constantly strove to impress upon his pupils the ne-
cessity of a free and unrestrained use of every muscle in the
body. He crossed the ocean seven times to study the methods
of Delsarte and incidental to that study made liimself thor-
oughly acquainted with all forms of ]>hysical culture.
Thoroughly familiar with the methods of the best French
gymnasiums, a man himself of fine physique, he made everv
one with whom he came in contact, a firm believer that

''
Not
soul hel]is body more, than body soul.'"
The ])upils in his school were instructed in gymnastics, prac-
tising both with and without apparatus, and were given lec-
(-)
tares in anatomy,
physiology and
hyoieno. It was after
listening to one of tliese, given by Dr.
Helen O'Leary,
illus-
trated by a manikin, that I went home and took olT my
corset,
which seemed to my partially
enlightencMl
mind the root of
all bodily evil. Then and there my troubles
began.
1,
under-vest. 2,
under-drawers. 3,
garter. 4, muslin drawers. 5,
chemise. 6,
corset. 7, corset cover. 8,
hose. 9,
bustle. 10, muslin un-
derskirt. 11, muslin petticoat. 12, di-ess waist. 13, overskirt. 14, skirt
of di'ess.*
It did not occur to me that my skirt band still remained,
and that my dress was quite as tight as before, or that the
weio-ht of the skirts still remaining, pressed heavily upon the
abdominal
muscles. I calmly removed ni}^ corsets and de-
prived my weakened muscles of their customary support.
*
This diagram was first published in the New York San of .Viigust 9, 1S91, to illustrate
an article upun the subject of Dress, given by me at Chautauqua during that summer.
(4)
Either the lecturer did not see the necessity for a radical
change of dress throughout, or my mind was incapable of so
advanced a thought; at all events, I brought from the lecture
simply a determination to discard my corsets and give my in-
ternal organs a chance to perform their functions.
In all my experience, I have never met a woman whose cor-
set was tight. I think I must have been the one exception to
w^omankind, for mine certainly was tight at all times, and I
gave its strings an extra pull before donning my better gowns,
and this had gone on without question from early girlhood to
the age of twenty-nine.
That winter, I was wearing the costume universally worn
at that time. It consisted, first, of woolen under-drawers and
vest, white muslin drawers, fastened around the waist by a
band; and, in regular order, chemise, corset, corset-cover, un-
derskirt, bustle, dress-skirt, over-skirt and basque. Seven
bands around the waist, besides the stiff, shield-like corset,
which prevented the complete severance of the diaphragm,
and lifted the weight somewhat from the abdomen.
If any sensible woman will turn her attention from the
trim, well-rouuded waist she now admires, long enough to
consider the true inwardness of that waist, it will surely, as it
did me,
"
give her pause."
Au aroused consciousness kept my interior conditions vividly
(5)
before me

iiiv ll();itiii;i^-i'ibs pressiiii*- iiiLo my liver, my stom-

ach crowded out of the roomy home its Creator had ^ivcu it,
and endeavoring- to make aphice for itself in the room rigiitly
belongino- to the lungs and heart, and they in turn interfered
with, and protesting as best they could by shortened breath
and i-apid action. Tiiis n\oi\ of heart, lungs, stomach and
liver, all dei-anged at once, made me strong in my determina-
tion to restore to these much abused organs their natur-al
I'iuhls.
But with the removal of tlie corset muscular anarchy en-
sued. I felt as if my l)ack would break in two. In addition
to tiiis, I became ])aiiifully aware of the weight of my skirts
over the abdomen, while every one of these seven bands cut
its way into my weak and nn])rotected back.
New conditions demand new adjustments. The problem
of how to relieve the waist muscles called ni}- attention to
shoulder straps, and these for a time seemed to answer every
purpose. It was not h)ng. however. l)efore the draii'ii'inf of
the weighty skirts cause<l the shoulder muscles to ache, and
I noticed a tendency to collapse and conti'action of the chest.
This wonld never do, so I began to study the problem of light-
eninir skirts. I sewed them to waists, buttoned them on waists,
pinned them on waists, combined two and sewed them on one
waist, in short, tried every method that "vvas ever invented,
save tlie only sensible one, of discarding tliem. This ])eiio(l
of experimentation lasted several vears, durino-
which I j)aid
(6)
constant attention to physical cnlture. 1 did not return to
corsets and succeeded in Ijeing fairly conifortalde. so far as
skirts were concerned, l)ut no more.
In addition to tiie problem of comfort, a certain lack of
symmetry made itself felt, and the question of the combination
of comfort and beauty dimly ])resented itself.
At about this stage of my development Mrs. Anna Jenness
Miller l)ei;an writing on this subject; feeling as 1 did, I eagerly
received the ideas of Mrs. Miller which now opened up to me
the artistic possibilities ot" woman's dress, with a pleasing pros-
pect of help from without.
In these days of enlightment and freedom, when tlie im-
proved dress is worn by so many, it is hard to realize the dif-
liculties of a first departure from conventional forms, but to
those of us who had been struggling, isolated and despairing,
J\Irs. Miller, with her splendid courage and enthusiasm, was an
avatar of better days indeed. My first knowledge of JVIrs.
Miller's improved gowns came to me through the Woman's
Journal, and visiting Uoston soon after, I went uj) to the office
on Park street to see and admire the photogra])hs which were
there exliii)ited. I was profoundly impressed l)y their utility
and beauty, and returned to Chicago, my zeal for dress im-
provement renewed, and eager to embody at once in a gown,
the beautiful ideas that had taken ])ossession of me.
Little I dreamed of the trials that awaited me, beside which
all my ]iast tribulations were as nothing.
I shall never forget that first gown. I had for a dress-
maker a woman of most decided opinions, who visited Paris
ev^ery year, and to her I confided what I waiited in the way
of a dress, innocently imagining that she would be eager to
hel]) me on my u})ward way. I had decided on a very modest
dress for my Jirst attempt. It was to be of dark olive green
l)roadcloth, the skirt just clearing the ground, and hung from
a sleeveless underwaist. For the outside waist, I ])lanned a
fitted short coat, opening over a vest of cream broadcloth,
with high collar and rather loose sleeves. Xow, could any-
thing in the way of a dress seem more simple or easily nuide
than that i
Imagine my astonishment when my dressmaker at first
utterly I'efused to materialize this child of my fancy. It was
only after much persuasion she revoked her decision far
enougli to make the skirt; but she persistently declined
to
have anything to do with tlie coat and Test. Womankind hav-
ing failed me, I turned to a man, a tailor, of course, and oh,
such a coat as he sent mo !
1 took the ungainly, ill-fitting garment to the dressmaker
and she ruined the cloth in trying to remed}^ the fit. Of course,
when I went to get more cloth, it had all been sold; but I
bought some lighter material and had it dyed. Then coat
number three was made, and it was failure number three, as
well.
J]y this time, my dressmaker's patience and my pocketbook
were exhausted. I could not afford to replace the gown with
another, and so for one winter I sutfei'cd martyrdom wearing-
out that dress. It was wholly unbecoming both in color and
form, the beauty of the shade and conil)ination at the time of
purchase making me forget that my eyes were blue, the cloth
olive; but 1 was sustained by the thought that I was suffering
in a <>ood cause.
Alas, years afterward, a friend kindly told me INFrs. A. bad
confided to her that she
"
thought Mrs. Parker had injured
the cause of dress reform more by the back of that coat than
anv and evervthing else combined ! !
!"
Mrs. A. did not men-
(8)
tion the matter to me, of course, her position being typical of
the attitude of many who believe thoroughly in the principles
and necessity for reform or imj)rovement, but who do not be-
lieve that it is better to
''
strive through acts uncouth toward
making, than repose on aught found made."
(0)
CHAPTER 11.
A \V():\IAXS ( r.UB for physical culture and C0RRE( 'T DRE8S.
Up to the time of my I3(t()n visit I had been working
alone, with an eye solely to my own ])ersonal comfort and
liealth. Now I was aronsed to the possibilities that lay be-
fore womankind in the, as yet unexplored, fields of beauty,
health and comfort in dress, and o^ladly joined with several
ladies in the orcj;anization of the Chicao-o Society for the Pro-
motion of Physical Culture and Correct Dress, a club whose
name explains its object. JSTow, as never before, I learned
the value of organization and the inspiration whicli comes
where many are working toward one desired end.
The clul) was composed of women wiio, like myself, had
been experimenting for yeai's in the firm belief that there
could be souK^tliing better in woman's dress. jVIany had em-
i)odied their ideas in artistic home dresses or improved under-
wear. They recognized the fact that one woman alone could
never bring ai)ont the wished-for information. The\' hoped
the earnest effort and untiri'ig pur[)ose of the maiiv com-
bined might accomi)lish it.
The watchword of the Boston reform movement, twenty
years eai4i(M\ had been
*
Health and Comfort." The Chicago
club added to these words,
"
Aesthetic P)eauty," the Sesame,
which was destined to unlock the door for the entrance of
improved dress, for its founders fully realized that a dress with-
out beauty would be forever shut out from tlie wai-drobes
of
the majority of women.
Tliese seekers after light went even fai-ther than the gown
itself. They declared, with Mrs. Miller, that the dress
must
not oidy be beautiful and adapted to its wearer, but that tiie
body must be developed and improved as well, so that the
woman should be beautiful within as well as witiiout.
To
accomplish this, classes in gymnastics were formed for
prac-
'
(10)
Dancing Faun.'^'
ticino; both witli niiil without a])paratu.s. Loctures on the ne-
cessity of physical culture were instituted; woman's dress from
the earliest times was thoroughly investigated and discussed,
and the advantages or defects of different eras and costumes
were noted.
* Masculine Waist.Dress refoi-mers have Ijeeii unjustly accused of trying to imitate a man's
dress. By comparing the waist of tlie Dancing Faun with tliat of the Venus Oenetrix, it will he
seen that the fashionable dress of to-day is in reality an imitation of the masculine. A man's waist
is triangular, sloping from the shoulders to a point above the liips. AVoman's waist, on the contrary,
is ovoid Cegg shape). The reason tlie tailor-made girl is so stiff and unwomanly, so lacking in fenii-
niuity, is due to the fact that she, and not the advocate of dress improvement,
"
apes the masculiuet"
(11)
Many dresses cMiilxxlyliio' tho idoas of the members of the
club wore worn to tho iiKH^tings and t'rcelv criticised. The ut-
most <^enerosity was shown hy the hidics in givinf^; to others
the benefit of their individual ideas. If a tneniber found any-
thing in iho way of an improved uiuh^'garment, a i)etter
method of cutting a sivirt, an improvement in a bodice, it was
immediately given to the club for the use of the whole.
Artists talked of the antique and ideal in art. Physicians
sl.iowed how every departure from nature was attended by
serious physical ills. In a word, the ])hysical, aesthetical and
ethical sides of the ipiestion were ably presented and fully
discussed.
Every woman tried to convert her own dressmaker, and
dressmakers were cordially welcomed to all discussions, and
freely given the benefit of all investigations and discoveries.
Above all it was insisted that a fashion in dress is as un-
philosophical and irrational as a fashion in architecture. The
artist and architect strive from their study of ])rincij)les to
ada|)t their creations to time, place and pur])Ose. This is true
of all art and should be doubly so of dress.
If the climate, the occasion, and above all, the individual,
are taken into consideration, then the garment evolved is al-
ways in fashion, because like any work of art, the principles
which govern its construction are unvarying.
Either ignorance or the ignoring of function on the part of
artisan designers of costumes, has led to everj^ kind of absurdity,
defeating the very ])urpose for which woman is universally sup-
posed to be striving, namely, enhancement of natural charms.
When slender, long-waisted figures are demanded by fash-
ion, what is more absurd than a plum]), i-oliin ty]>e of woman
trying to meet this demand? Think how miserable she is,
too, as she laces, distorts, defaces and effaces her own natu-
rally charming individuality, surrendering all her grace in a
vain (Mideavor to model herself after the ideal of an io-norant,
unthinking Erencli dressmaker.
To quote the Club Calendar of the Society for Physical
Culture and Im[)rove(l Dress f<jr ISO I and 1892:
"
Tlu' study ami use of improved I'oruis of dress by the members of this
soL-iety is entirely indeiHMideiit of any fashion. Art. orifjjinality, the princi-
ples of taste, usefuliu'ss, healtii and suitability to the eharacteristics and con-
dition of each individual are consulted. Conventionality and the fashion
books arc utterly ignored. It is exi>ected that each person will
consider
(12)
her own indi%'iduality in adopting improved clotliing, so that she will not
necessarily be dressed like her neighbor, as her personality is not rei)eated!
"
**********
"
While we expect to make many mistakes in our efforts to realize cos-
tumes that shall be healthful, comfortable and artistic, we also expect
patiently to study the best embodiments of the human form divine to be
found in sculpture and painting, to emulate their proiwrtions in time
to find, each one for herself, such forms of clothing as shall be suit-
able to her purse, condition, duties, foi-m and complexion. Such dress ulti-
mately as shall conceal infelicitous characteristics, and set off with greater
effect such charming features as each may possess."
(13)
CHAPTER III.
ADVANTAGES OF REFORM UNDERGARMENTS.
The advantao'es of these garments will suggest themselves
to every thoughtful woman, not tlie least among wliich is, that
everv one of them, except the slcirt, can be bought ready-
made at the counters of a drygoods store.
This is an immense saving of time and strength, something
found out and taken advantage of by the members of the
"
strono:er sex
"
long ago.
There is the saving of hil)()r in washing and ironing. One
scarcely realizes how great this is until the contents of the
laundry basket of the dress improver ai'e compai-ed with those
of her more conservative unimproved sistei'.
The constant sewing, spring and fall, and renewing of gar-
ments, is saved, leaving many an overt )urdened woman free to
devote herself to other duties. The garments are stronger
and do not tear as easily as cotton ones, for, aside from a little
lace around the neck' and shn^vesof the skirt, there is no trim-
ming' to be mended or I'enewed.
AVomeu always make complaint about the lii'st cost of these
garments, but if the ])i'ice of the ordinary undergarments, in-
cluding the wear and tear of trimming, is cai'efully compared
with the improved suit, each suit of the latter will be found
to Ije from live to ten dollars cheaper.
Then there is the saving of doctor's bills and medicines, gain
in energy, serenity of temiier, and the consciousness of obedi-
ence to natural law. ranking far above any mere money value.
The advantage in traveling of the improved underclothing-
can scarcely be estimated. It is easy enongh to wash out a
flannel undervest and pair of tights in one's own room, if
necessary, and the garments recpiire very little room or care in
packing.
Tijen the suit is adjustable
to all climates. When 1 was ii]
(14;
Texas, several summers ago, I required only the tights and un-
dervest, adding as I wore thin dresses, the India silk petticoat
described. Coming to a cooler climate I slipped a Ypsilanti
wool suit under my silken tights and vest, and was comfort-
able in the chilly air.
Among tlie particular advantages of the combination gar-
ments and .tights, .are, the two togetli.er form a i)erfect sub-
stitute for hose, flannel vest and drawers, cotton drawers,
garters and underskirt. They ai*e jesthetical'.y beautiful, fol-
lowing the outHiies of the form so closely that they m ike a
])erfect foundation on which to drape the outer covering.
The tiglits give necessary waruith, but do not impede the
circulation or free action of the leg, and there is no weight
hung from the waist.
I>i)th cotton and woolen skirts cHng to the limbs, causing a
slight effort in walking. Tliis is especially true on a windy
day. The amount of resistance with each step, though slight,
is cumulative in its action, causiuo' n waste of eueru-v and much
unnecessary fatigue.
A mechanic works years to invent a machine which shall
run easily, accomplishing the maximum amount of labor with
the minimum expenditure of ])ower. In the use of the far
more delicate human mechanism, ought not the same care to
be exercised ?
All the energy expended along lower lines of resistance is
necessarily taken from higher lines, and in so far limits the
usefulness of the individual.
There is such a demand u|)on all classes of society for the
best work of which they are capable, that he who would win
the race must rid himself of all superfluous hindrances.
From a physical standpoint these garments are certainly
conducive to health, for the circulation is unimpeded and the
delicate ])ortions of the body are not exposed to sudden changes
of temi^erature.
They are modest in the extreme, saving all undue exposure,
and because they are light in weight and sensible in construc-
tion, they admit the utmost freedom of action; neither are
they so suggestive as frills, ruffles, and embroideries. A
woman wearing them can walk the streets, no matter how
hard the wind blows, go up and down stairs, climb mountains,
or break her neck with perfect impunity from undue exposure.
Jt is universally conceded that women are the w'eaker sex,
that their bodies are more tenderly organized, and need greater
care and protection than a man's; but contrast the covering
of a woman's with a man's lower limbs, and see how foolishly
and needlessly her body is exposed to every change of temper-
ature, and note in every way how illy protected it is.
That woman has so long survived her clothes furnishes a
most strikini>- illustration of the doctrine of the survival of
the fittest.
(ifi)
CHAPTER lY.
DEVELOPMENT OF BODY.
Great care should be taken when one has decided to make a
chang-e in dress, that too much is not exacted of enervated mus-
cles, weakened through lono' lack of use. Put on the combi-
nation garment and the tights at once, but begin to remove
the corsets by degrees. Take the steels from the front and
button them; lace them at the back with elastic cord. Have
an improved dress made thnt will allow you a quarter or a
half inch extra breathing s])ace, with the seams sufficiently
deep to admit of further letting out, if necessary. If skirts
are still worn, make button holes in the band and button them
to the corsets or corset cover, allowing a (piarter of an inch
slack in the band, between each button hole. Gradually take
out all the bones in the corset and at once cut it otf at the top
and bottom, removing by degrees all superfluous linings.
While this is going on take breathing exercises three times
a day (according to directions found in the chapter under
the head of breathing exercises). Get a set of chest weights
(No. 10 Narragansett Manufacturing Co.) and practice night
and morning all the different chest weight exercises to be
found in the little book that will be furnished with the weights.
Get Guthman's Aesthetic Gymnastics, Checkley, KaMer on
Breathing, Lutzen on Res])iration, or any other standai'd book
on exercises. Begin to find out what muscles there are in the
body, and to use them. Three-quarters of an hour a day, for
regular exercise, will strengthen and develop unused muscles
in a most marvelous manner; and head-ache, nervousness,
and
tlyspepsia
'
Will fold up theirtents like the xVrabs, and silently
steal aw^ay."
U there is a good gymnasium near, a gymnasium
where
some attention is paid to measurements and a relial^le
physi-
cian in charge to prescribe the course to be pursued, enter it.
(17)
tf not, tlie books indicated will permit a person witli a reason-
able amount of common sense to accomplish the desired result.
Never unduly fatigue a muscle. Stop exercising before you are
really weary. Remember that it is short periods of practice,
with frequent intervals of rest, that do the work. Do not ex-
pect to get strong in a day, and do not be alarmed if unused
muscles ache a little. Kichard Proctor said it took his muscles
two months to i-ecover their normal condition, after foolishly
wearing a corset for three months, lie was growing stout,
and thought it woidd bean excellent ])lan to adopt the fem-
inine method of disj)osing of superfluous flesh, l)ut aftei' a shoi't
trial discovered that there coukl be greater ills in life than
that of extra avoirdu})ois, and so left otf his corsc^ts. but was
two months, as above stated, in lea\'ing off the ])ains they
brouo'ht him. If it took him two months to recover from a
three months wearing of corsets, a woman who has worn cor-
sets five, ten, fifteen, twenty years can'tex})ect to recover from
the results of violated law in a week or a month; but if she
has perseverance and exercises a little common sense and
patience she will find nature very ready to help and (piick to
accommodate herself to new and better conditions.
Some attention, indeed a great deal of attention, must be
given to physical exercise by any one meditating a change of
dress. Much of the successful wearing of an imi)roved gown
lies in the symmetrical bod\' that the dress covers. Shouhiers
can be broadened, lioUow chests HUed out, shrunken arms
and legs developed, backs straightfMied, until the misused body
approximates to its human form divine.
llunning, jumi)iiig, dancing, I'ising upon toes, poising for-
ward aiul back from heel to toe, pulling of chest \vei>a,hts,
swinging of dumb bells, breathing <'xercises; i-owing, skating,
))laying tennis, riding bicycle and all exercises that bi-ing into
])lay unuseU muscles, im})rove the circulation aiul ])urify the
blood, will, virtually, remake the body, and that without un-
due expenditure either of time or money.
Be sure that all muscular restrictions are reniovc^l before
you attem])t to exercise. Any amount of harm may be done
where the clothing interferes with the fi-ee and ])roper func-
tioning: of the bodv. It.must be remembered that the strain
is sure to come, and does generally come, upon the weakest
and most delicate organs of the body, and therefore exercise,
(18)
the most beneficial of all remedial means, must be gradually
and carefully used.
We have periodic crazes for skating, lawn-tennis, dancing,
etc. These are never dangerous if taken in moderation, with
proper clothing, and at the proper time. But, 2:enerally, there
is no reason or common sense used, and the result is serious
difficulties, which cause some short-sighted physicians to de-
clare that women ought never to exercise, because their organ-
ism is essentially different from that of man. When a muscle
is weakened and enervated from long disuse, and a demand is
made upon it that only a trained and developed muscle can
fulfill, no wonder that pain and discomfort are the results.
With either man or woman, time and careful training are
necessary where skill and endurance in the use of the body are
desirable, and the ex])erience of people who expect to be strong
in a day by immediate and spasmodic exercise is ever the same,

^a season of pain and discomfort, if not serious organic de-

rangement, whose outcome is an increased inertia, enhanced
l)y fear.
The great trouble with woman's dress aesthetically, is, that
it completely ignores the true form of the body, building out
juid changing the figure without reference to its beauty of out-
line, much less its functional use. It is as if an architect
should draw plans for a house and utterly disregard the land,
surroundings, or use to which the building is to be put, simply
considering his own caprice, or perverted taste in the matter.
In due time we receive notice that shoes are to be round-
toed this season, and not square, as last; that street skirts are
to be tight and trained; that waists are to be smaller and
longer than ever; and one French magazine of fashion cap})ed
the climax by announcing:
'*
The bust will be worn higher
this year than last !
"
It is not to be questioned that one of the great problems
confronting women of the nineteenth century, is the adapta-
tion of dress to the individual and to the needs of the individ-
ual. That they have taken the first ste]) in such evolution,
the bicycle and rainy-day dress bear witness.
Encouraging signs of the times may be found in the stud}^
of art and the modification of the fashionable dress of to-day.
Women are exercisingwalking and riding the bicycle

with the avowed purpose of becoming stronger and better

(19)
developed. In short, it is the fashion to be well, and exercise
is recognized as the one potent factor of health.
More and more attention is paid to carriage and bearing of
the body, and to be graceful is also one of the requisites of
fashion. It is a hap])y day when custom and the law of being
are in unison; the liarmonious develojmiont of mind and body
then, and tlien oidy, becomes a
possiltilit}'.
Yenus (tENETRIX.
Grace is the life, the spirit, the essence of motion. As we
study color and proportion for the secret of beauty, we study
(20)
motion in its undulative or rhythmic waves and its changing
adjustments of parts for the secret of grace. Beauty is inhe-
rent and depends upon underlying form or structure; grace is
acquired, and depends upon bahince, the adjustment of parts
through opposition and sequence of movement. In the okl
myth Juno borrows the girdle of Venus when she would
charm Zeus. Her beauty needed grace to make her conquest
complete. The Greeks fully recognized the fact that grace
could be acquired, and lived up to their belief.
In the ])lan of construction of the human body we have
every requisite to grace, giving the adequate and full use of
the body; to this, however, the great majority of ])eople do
not attain. We learn by imitation and by necessity to call
into use the various co-ordinations of the muscles. If, in a
child's environment, there were that which would give him
all-si'J.ed develo])ment there would be little need of physical
culture. Even later in life if one were surrounded by models
of grace and possessed a quick and keen perception, a proper
use of the l)ody could be acquired.
It is needless to say, however, that these requisites are
lacking in the environment of to-day, and that education
must supply tiiem. Awkwardness is looked upon as a neces-
sity; people are born awkward, i?>'^6 they must remain awk-
ward. Awkwardness means wasted energy and an unskillful
use of the body. It means using ten pounds of steam when
live pounds would accomplish the same result. We have
just so much energy to expend, and if we waste along lower
lineslocomotionit of necessity takes from the higher

ratiocination, we will say. In that light the removal of re-

strictions becomes of the highest importance. A cramped
chest means an imperfect use of the breathing machin(!ry and
vitiated blood; a shuffling walk, lack of intelligent direction;
constrained movements, too much consciousness of self. The
mind should be occupied with something higher than its own
bodily movements, and a dress that will admit of the free use
of all the various muscles of the body is indispensable.
The animus of all improvement is a recognition of the in-
alienable hiws of God and a reverent desire to live in accord-
ance with his laws. The ground must be taken that anything
that interferes with the highest usefulness of the being must
be wrono-, and hence the endeavor to make the dress the
servant, not the master. The Venus de Milo has stood the
(81)
Venus de Milo.
test of ages as a model of grace and beauty, but the ordinary
woman's taste has become so vitiated by bad example and
])ractice that within a month two women have told me with
virtuous horror that they thought the Venus de Milo Avas
vulgar, one lady even stating that her husband wouldn't like
it if she looked like that., pointing to a fine photogra])h of
Juno.
To again quote from the calendar of the Society for the
promotion of Physical Culture and Correct Dress
:
(22)
"Tilt? Study Conimittee earnestly reeoin mends that each member supply
herself with a photograph of the Venus de Milo.
In the words of tlie artist Hunt' hang it in your room, trace it, copy
it, draw it from memory over and over again, until you own it as you own
"
Mary had a little lamb."
'
Our eyes must be taught to see beauty.
After the Venus di Milo. there are the Venus di Medicis, Venus Genetrix,
Thorwaldsen's Eve, Titian's nude figure in the picture of Sacred and Pro-
fane Love, Richter's Queen Louise of P^russia coming down the stair, and a
standing figure called The Fat:'s. l)y Tlmiinan, just now in the shop win-
dows.
Visit many times the statuary in the galleries of the Art Institute.
Study these jihotographs and this sculpture till you know them, till you
/ceZ their beauty, till you grow utterly out of patience with female forms
that do not have similar outlines.
To appreciate a beautiful form is the very first lesson we have to learn
concerning perfect ph^'sical development."
(2H)
CHAPTER V.
CONSTRICTIONS.
An iiii])rove(l dress absolutely demands the removal of all
constrictions. The collar must be made loose enough to ad-
mit of perfect freedom of movement. If the collar binds the
neck, or in any way interferes with its movement, the result
will be a lessening of the size of the neck, which is decidedly
detrimental to any woman, thick or thin.
In studying the Greek statue, note the fact that the neck is
always a support to the head and that in art, at least, the top-
heavy woman of large head and scrawny neck never makes an
appearance.
All natural defects that can not be remedied by exercise may,
in a degree, be made to disa])pear by the aid of dress; thus, if
the neck is unduly long, the ccjllar can be made in such a way
that it will take from the length and increase the circumfer-
ence. Stout women with short necks should always dress the
neck low. and never attempt, no matter what the st\de may
be, to wear a high collar. But to return to the subject, the
mischief of any and all forms of construction is that free action
on the ])art of the muscle is preventeci, which causes it to be
lessened in size, to weaken, to respond less readily to the im-
pulse of the will, and, the balance lost, to pave the way for all
sorts of nervous derangements.
Every muscle of the body should not only have perfect free-
dom of action, but should be called into action daily. Atrophy
of muscle involves atrophy of nerve with corresponding atro-
phy of brain cell. The law of function is the law of life, and
two thirds of the body can not ivinain unused without
detri-
ment to the other third. To comph'te thecircuit, impression,
thought, expression and that all-sided, means mental, moral
and physical well-being.
Have the sleeves of a dress made in such a way that the
{2-i)
arms can be raised freely over the head to the front and back,
bent or straight. Never wear a glove a size too small; it pre-
vents the freedom of use of the hand, and ]iroduces the wooden
effect, so perfectly illustrated by our modern fashion plates.
Avoid, as you would a plague, a band around the waist.
Dresses should be made after or upon the principle of the
princess form. The skirt should either be buttoned upon a
waist or have a waist attached. All waists shoukl be laced
with elastic, and so pliable that the waist muscles can act with
perfect freedom, for beside the circulation, interference with
the action of the diaphragm and abdominal muscles is the pro-
lific cause of liver, stomach and womb troul)les.* A fino-er
resting lightly upon a vein would hinder noticeably, its cir-
culation. How much more must this be the case with the
corset, or a tight skirt band. And still women wonder why
the}^ have such cold feet in winter, headache and dyspepsia.
An elastic about the limb destroys the shape of the limb,
and again interferes with the circulation. The tiffhts with
feet, or the boy's sock solve this problem.
Last, but not least, the matter of shoes. The evil one must
have stood at the poet's elbow, when he wrote,
''
Her little
feet, like mice, peeped in and out beneath her gown." This,
together with the idea that a high instep is the sign of good
blood and breeding, has done more to destroy the health and
grace of women, than all other causes put together.
It is parhaps a startling and wholly new proposition, but
feet were made to stand upon and to walk with and not wholly
to look at. Crowded toes, bunions, callouses, pipe-stem ankles,
and feet distorted and deformed as a Chinese woman's feet;
clumsy, shuffling, ambling walks, and a body thrown out of its
natural poise, are tlie results of this endeavor to wear a boot
wiiich ignores utterly and entirely the proper function of the
foot.
"
Dress," says Mr. Eussell,
"
is the most difficult of all
arts, because it combines beauty and expression. Absolute
freedom must be given to expression. This demands control
at the center and freedom at the extremities. ]S"eck, arm,
hand and foot must be left free to move, that they may retain,
or, if they have lost it, again acquire the pliability of nature.
High collars, constant wearing of tight gloves, and tight, un-
*See excellent article on
"
The Corset " by Dr. Robt. L. Dickenson of New York.
(25)
yielding' shoes, -avo ;iII eiKMiiiivx of <j,'t'ac(\ ])r()(lucing a stitt'ness
that utterly suhvci-ts natural expression,
"
A coininon niistalvc is the; notion that heavy-soled shoes
are advisable. Some English wonu^n wear soles so tliick that
they can not bend Avitli any motion of tlie foot, and so pro-
duce a stiff, flat-footed walk, as ])rejudicial to bodily develop-
ment as to appearance. Shoes should be as pliable as gloves,
allowing the foot to feel that spring which should be in the
step. Ankles should not be bound, either, for the same
reasons. Would we take i-old ^ Ves, if we were unused to low
shoes, but we could quickly accustom ourselves to such a
change, and would then liud benelit, even in cold weather.
Besides the comfort, it would a<ld elasticity to the step, in-
creasing the charm of the whok; personality.
''For these reasons, the di'essing of the hands, neck and
feet are the most important |)art of this subject of clothing.
"
You can give sco[>e to exj)ression. or you can become rigid
by bad methods. It is not the Jieart. usually, that makes peo-
ple grow stiff; on the contrary, time is apt to increase sym-
pathy. Dress it is that robs us of natural movementj of grace,
of expression."
(2C)
CHAPTETl VI.
THE FEET.
The feet were designed to sup|)ort the weiglit of the body,
and to facilitate the act of locomotion in walking, running
and leaping.
So delicately and nicely articulated are the many bones, so
complicated the muscular adjustments, that the utmost free-
dom is necessary that the varied functions may be properl}'
performed.
Yet, not only have the real uses of the foot been over-
looked, but the sha])e of the foot itself has been ignored, and
the ideal of womankind is a conventional foot, Avooden and
ine4astic, utterly incapable of fulfilling that for which it was
designed.
Just as the torso of the French dressmaker is radically dif-
ferent from the form which tlie Creator of all things pro-
nounced good, so is the shoemaker's foot different from the
natural foot. Could the shoemaker and the dressmaker
change the order of creation, and give us another body with
internal organs re-arranged to suit the garments they design,
we could go on our wasp-like way rejoicing. As it is, the con-
ventional is utterly at war with the natural, with the inevi-
table result that our clothing is neither comfortable, graceful
nor beautiful.
The shoemakers, like the dressmakers, present an unchang-
ing model, saying :
"
To this shape woman must conform."
And endeavoring to do this, she cramps the soft, yielding
flesh, graceful in its God-given outline, to a thing of angles,
raised bumps, hardened flesh and distorted muscles.
In tracing this evil back to its cause, we find shoes were
first used as a protection to the feet, either from the rough-
ness of the way, or the inclemency of the weather. They
were rough and clumsy in shape, but they had a great
(37)
udvantai^e ovei' tlu' modern shoo; tlioy Were subordinate to
the beino- for whom thev were nunh', and left the feet free as
])ossible in action. The antedeUivian man did not stay at
home fi'oni a, Sunihiy afternoon stroll because his boots
hurt him I The hiw holds good witli clothes as with creeds;
when the spirit, wliich is freedom, is lost sight of, the form,
which is boiuhige, "cabins, cribs, confines."
By aluKJst imperceptible degrees the shoe came to be con-
sidered as something entirely apart from the foot for which it
Avas made, and then the mischief was done, or rather begun.
To-day this state of affairs is universal among the so-called
civilized naticms. The conventional, supposedly ornamental,
but not useful shoe is so customarily adopted, that if a true
foot form were to be shown a thousand women, nine hundred
and ninetynine wouhl think it barbarous and mis-shapen.
Usually when fashion demands victinn for her sacrifices, the
weaker, more ornamental and conservative part of humanity
is chosen, and thus we find women are the pn*incipal sufferers
from the shoemaker's shoe.
Not many ])eople can recall seeing a man in a pair of French
heels, and very few wear boots two sizes too small for them.
The poets have not written about him,
''
Ills little feet like
mice," etc., or informed us that
"
his high arched instep in-
cased in its jeweled sli[)per ])roclaimed his royal descent."
The effort to live up to these two quotations has cost a world
of women health, strength, and even life itself.
Experience, however, has })rovetl it is useless to a))})eal to
womankind from this standpoint, for conventionality and ac-
cepted usage will always outweigh health and strength.
But if it can be proved without question that they sacrifice, as
well, their beauty and grace, things which are of infinite value
to ever}^ woman, then and not until then, will the boot be sub-
ordinated to the foot, and not, as now, the foot made to con-
form to the boot.
The three radical defects of shoes as now made are, first,
their size; almost-all shoes are nuxde too narrow and too short;
they should certainly be an inch longer than the foot, and
wide enough to allow full
i)lay
of the toes; secontl, their form
is not right; no natural foot ha,s a square hump under the
heel, a hump that (mtirely changes the natural graceful poise
of the body, throwing forward the center of ecpiilibrium and
iaducing an awkward, clumsy walk; third, the conventional
(28)
shoe is utterly uncomfortable, and by interfering with the cir-
culation and proper use of the muscles, prevents a woman from
taking the amount of exercise necessary to keep the organ-
ism in good working order.
Awell shaped muscularfoot, however large, is always elegant.
What woman possessing a carriage that is royal and dignified,
would not willingly disjiense with little wooden mice playing
a clumsy bo-peep beneath her gown 'i
A boot should be, at least, a quarter of an inch longer
than the foot. It should be made with medium soles and
spring heels, and of a leather that will not stretch; morocco,
or calf, makes the best. A boot ])ro])erly made to lit the foot
will wear twice as long as a custom-made boot where the best
of nuiterial is not always used. AVlicu ordering, stand upon a
piece of papci'. ami have your boot-maker draw the outline of
your foot; have careful measurements taken, and then have a
shoe made without heels, large enough in the ankle to admit
of a free use of the same, and Avith a vamp low enough to
allow free movement of the toe joints.
I have had my boots made by the same boot-maker for six
years, and some such conversation as this goes on regularly,
every time I go in to order a new pair of shoes :
"Oh, Mrs. Parker, you are not going to have your shoes
made just like those last shoes! You have such pretty feet,
let me make you a pair of stylish boots this once I
"
"
]S"o, Mr. 11., I want these boots just as I have been in the
habit of having them."
"
Dut don't you think you had better have a heel
'(
I will
put on a low heel."
''
No, I want my boots to walk in."
"
Well, let me make the aid^le just a little tighter, for
vour
ankles will grow large if you don't look out."
Finally, after I have insisted upon having my own way. 'Slv.
li. has accej>ted the situation, and the measurements are being
made, he remarks.
"
You don't have any corns, Mrs. Parker?" "
Xo."
"Or bunions^" "^'o."
"
All my customers have bunions and corns. I do not see
any foot come into the store like your foot."
He does not seem to see any relation between this and mv
demand for a boot that 'vill tit me; and in spite of six 3"ears'
missionary work on my part, he is still Avedded to his idolde-
formity.
(29)
CHAPTEll VII.
DRESS REFORM GARMENTS.
Fii-st in iin])(>i'tance, as well as in ordci- of donning, is tlie
(onil)in;ition undergarment, which takes the place once held
bv under-vest and under-drawers.
Those manufactured by the Ypsilanti Com])any. at Yj)si-
lanti, Mich., are ideal in manv respects. They retain the
true
^30)
outlines of the human form, are of exquisite texture, and being
Avoven in one piece of ehistic material, they adjust themselves
perfectly to the figure. The white all-wool ones have one great
objection from the standpoint of economy. Unless carefully
washed, tlie garment will shrink. This objection does not
ap|)lv to the natural wool or the ])lain bhick ones, which stand
verv careless laundering without either I'adino- or shrinkino-.
Jaros CoMiiixATioN Surr.
The combination garments come in all sizes and weights;
they are high-necked and low-necked, long-sleeved or short-
sleeved, or no sleeves at all; knee lenoth or ankle length; and
(31)
are iiiado of silk, silk and wool, pure wool, lisle thread, silk
and lisle all dainty of make and perfect in finish.
For those who suffer from rheumatism, or desire perfect
protection with liuhtness of weight, the Jaros Bros. & Co..- of
New Yoi'k, have an excellent combination garment. The
Jaros garments will not shi'iidc in washing, and are thoroughly
sanitary owing to the way in which they absorb moisture
and allow a free cii'culation of air. These garments also follow
the outlines of the tigui-e, are shapely and of exquisite texture.
In winter, when still more warmth is desired, the Eques-
trian tights, manufactured by the Y])silanti Company, can be
drawn on, and will be found as warm as two additional skirts,
simply because they closely lit the body.
1, Ypsilaiiti sarnii'iit. 2, tights. 3. lisle thread imder-vest. 4. di'ess.
It is to a member of the Chicago Club, Mrs. W. B. Keene,
we are indebted for the tights, or, as Miss Helen Potter ])re-
fers to call them, the sha|)es. l>eing a woman ])articnlarlv
free from pi'('ju(lic(\ Mrs. Iveene saw in this much-al)used gar-
ment, a modest and sensible addition to a woman's wardrobe,
and after much writing and seeing of manufacturers and deal-
ers, it is now possible to buy these garments in almost any of
our large (;ity dry goods stores, at a reasonable cost.
The most ex])ensive as well as the most durable tights are
of English manufacture, a heavy weight silk with white tops,
(32)
They can also be had in black silk throuohout, liohter weight,
and in all colors; they come, besides, in silk and wool, and in
lisle thread.
They are made with and without feet. When without feet
a boy's sock is pulled on first and the tights drawn over.
In winter, when silk tights are worn, the addition of lisle
thread socks will render the feet sufficiently warm. It is a
singular fact that the addition of a cotton garment beneath a
wool or silk one, gives greater warmth than the addition of
another of the same material, and vice versa. The tights are
not woven as the ordinary silk hose, where, if one stitch gives
way the whole chain is raveled, and the hose ruined. There is
no raveling in tights, the hole simply wearing through as in
closely woven cloth. This makes them much more durable
than stockings. When the bottom of the foot, which is gen-
erally the first to give way, is worn out, simply cut it off and
insert a new sole, just as our mothers did in our childhood's
stockings. If the art of doing this is a mystery, rip up a pair
of old seamed hose, and the secret is easily learned.
Petticoat with waist. Ypsilanti Equestrienne tights.
When the new sole is past darning and the upper part be-
gins to give way, cut the foot off at the ankle and sew on a
pair of boy's socks, after cutting off the ribbed top of the socks,
and your tights are almost as good as new. Tights are sup-
ported every inch of the way and do not pull down as ordi-
nary hose, and if they are a perfect tit in length, as they
should be, there will be no wrinkling about the ankles.
(33)
The tit'lits can he procured in all standard colors, hut should
any special shade he desired, it may he ohtained hy huyin<^
white tiii-Jits and havino- thetn dved. A silk or lisle-thread vest
of the same cohu' as the tights is worn with tiicm. so that
when the dross and jx^ttieoat aro I'cinoxcd, <n(> will he clotlK^l
all in hlaek, hine, white, or .^ray.
( )v('i- I lie liiilifs. with a thin
dress, is woi'ii an India silk, cotton oi' linen petticoat, made
with a waist. A ])rctty model has a low \'-shaped neck and is
sleeveless, for it is a comhinatioii of coi-set -cover and waist; its
slioi't waist ends just under the luist.
A I'ound skirt, live hreadths of silk wide, with hem a (piai'ter
of a yard deep, is eathered to it. If a ratliei- heavy (piality of
India silk is used, it will Ix* found this skirt is the only one
iiee(l(Ml with thin i^owns.
Tliese skirts may he made of any material, hut the prefer-
ence is given to stout wash silk', hecause it does not catch the
dirt as cotton and hecause it is easier to walk in a silk skii-t
than a cotton. 'I'his is especially true in winter, when one is
wearing the ecpiestrian tights and attempting to \valk against
a head wind.
Some ohjection has been made to this material, especially in
these days of hoiifftoif^ wide-spi'eading sldrts, hut this ohjec-
tion is overcome \)\ facing the skirt with a very light hair-
cloth, and having the uecessai-y stilfeiiing in the dress skirt
itself.
A more easily madc^ skirt, and one whicli \\\\\ give the
wearer a woi'ld of comfort, is made ly
purchasing a silk or
WM)rste<l under-shirt. Cut this otf just below the waist, and
gather t(j it five l)readtlis of matei-ial, stretching the shirt as
much as ])ossihle, and holding the skirt as loose as ])ossihle,
while sewing them together. The result is a skirt that can be
slipped on over the head, whose waist fits the figure
perfectlv,
yet gives with every breath and has not a l)utton or Ijaiul
about it. Foi" vei'v slender figures, a double skirt can be
attached to (^ne waist, l)y making the skirt pai't twice as lono-
as is required, and then folding it in the middle aiul gatherino-
to the waist. These skirts, when made; of silk, are easilv
laundered, shed the dust readily, and their soft artistic folds
hold the di'ess away from the ligure in most graceful fashion.
Tlie skirts, of course, nuiy be of any color desired.
AVhen
worn with a party gown, the skirt, as well as the other silken
undergarments, should match it in cohjr. ISothing
prettier
GJ4)
can be imagined than a graceful form clothed throughout in
pale pink, or blue or yellow. Of course if white or black
underwear is desired, it can be worn with any outside costume.
With these garments, a woman who is inclined to einhrm-
polnt^ or who has a very full bust, will find a bust supporter
necessary.
Indeed, the chief objection to rational dress comes from
fleshy women, who use the argument of their particular defect
to close the whole question.
A bust su])])orter, plenty of exercise, learning to stand
properly, (hxily bathing, shorter waists and long flowing lines
in dress and outer garments, will in one year cause that ])ar-
ticular deformity linown as flesh, to disappear.
To crowd up the bust until it is double its natural size, to
make great rolls of flesh under the arms, to pinch in the waist
until the hips stand out like broad shelves, is only to call
attention to existing defects, not to remedy them.
If the abdominal muscles are strengthened by daily practice
in bending forward and backward and to right and left, stand-
ing upon toes and reaching npward, and due attention be
(35)
given to breathing exercises, the accumulation of fat about the
waist and abdomen will begin to disappear and the gradual
strengthening of the muscles will hold the remaining flesh so
firmly that the slouchy appearance usually presented by stout
people, will be avoided.
In middle age, when the bosoms have a tendency to drop, a
bust supporter becomes an absolute necessity. These, made
of flexible whalebone or grass cloth, coming merely to the
#/
sternum, leave the soft movable parts of the body free, allow
the lungs full ]:>lav, and hold the bust firmly in place.
The Xewell bust supporter'^ is the most acceptable one that
I have, up to tiiis time, found, being well ventilated, durable.
* Mrs. Xcwfll's Perfection Breast Supporter.A perfect support for the lireast, coinliined with
shoulder liraces and skirt supporter. May be worn with or without corsets. Tliis support removes
the weight of the breasts from the dress waist, and places it upon the shoulders, producing a perfect
sliaped bust and allowing a more elegant tit of dress than can bo obtained in any other way. The
bands are elastic, allowing free and easy movement of body and arms.
(36)
and at the same time comfortable. Indeed, with a Kewell
Breast Supporter, no woman, however fleshy, need look in the
least flabby or untidy.
To recapitulate, a woman is well equipped for all ordinary
occasions when her wardrobe contains a change of Ypsihmti
or Jaros combination garments f(^r Avinter, medium Aveight
with high neck and long sleeves for spring and fall, and either
silk or balbrig-o'an Avith low neck and short sleeves for summer
wear; three pairs of tights, three undervests, a black and a
white silk India petticoat, and three pairs of boys' socks, with
a bust suj)})()rter or waist, if it is needed.
I have friends in moderate circumstances who, with two
suits of underwear, two pairs of tights, three pairs of socles,
three undervests, two pairs of e(juestrian tights, and two silk
petticoats, one black and one white, get along very comforta-
bly indeed.
I know a student who bought the combination underwear
and saved its price that winter by washing the garments herself
in lier own room. Smoothing irons not being a part of her
outht, she pressed her garments into sha])e by piling her
school books on them, and thus secured another triumph of
mind over matter and a lean pocket book.
m
CHAPTER VIII.
BREATHING EXERCISES.
1st. Stand in military position. Place the Lands as liiuli
and as far back as possible at the turn of the ribs. Send out
the breath in a sigh. Inhale sloioly and audibly through the
nose. Let the rib-muscles that pull open the rib cage remain
passive during this exercise, and slowly fill the lung. Having
inhaled all the air possible in this position, lift the shoulders
and inhale until the lungs are completely filled. Retain the
breath for ten seconds, using effort, if need be; resist the in-
flination to expel the air immediately, for the object in this
exercise is as much to gain conti'ol over the breath-impelling
muscles of the thorax as to enlarge the air cells, and every
surrender to the inclination renders this more difficult. The
time of holding the breath is to be gradually increased to
thirty or forty seconds, but begin with ten^ or even
Jim
seconds, and (jrajhidUij increase time of holdino:. Verij sloicl;/
exhale through a small a])erture in the teeth, using the con-
sonant sound sh (as in shall). Repeat the above movement,
omitting the sigh, but not as thoroughly as at first, the inhal-
ing, holding and exhaling taking less time; inhale easily
through the nostrils, exhale in a sigh and resume ordinary
breathing.
Practice the above but twice a day, in the middle of the
forenoon and the afternoon; rej^eat the exercise each time.
Never ])ractice a breathing exercise within an hour before or
after eating. If this rule be not observed, indigestion is
almost sure to be induced. See that the room is well wai-med
and well aired, for the breath is taken through the mouth,
])artlv for the ])urpose of regnlatiiiii' the escaping bi'catli by
the ear (the ])U})il listening and so determining tiie
imijciling
force), and partly because it is easier for the ))upil to regulate
the
aperture when inhaling through the mouth than when iu-
(38)
haling tlirono-h the nose. There is no danger in this if the
I'ooni is ventilated and warmed, for tlie stream of air is so
sliglit that it is thoronghly wai-metl and moistened before
reaching the lungs. A glass or rul)ber tube is excellent, and
perhaps safer on the wliole, for inhalation. In cases of weak-
ness, or of un(levelo])ed air cells, physicians often order these
tubes; they can be obtained at any drug store. A goose quill,
after passing a shawl pin tlirough the nib, will answer ev^ery
])urpose.
Impress upon the children the necessity of keeping the
mouth closed and of breathing through the nostrils when
running or in the cold winter air. The air, w^hen passing
through the nose, is brought nearer the temperature of the
lungs, warmed and moistened, and the delicate membranes of
the lungs are not chilled. ]\Iost of the colds, lung fever and
pneumonia could he ])revented were we careful to keep the
school-rooms cooler, l)etter ventilated, and the children's
mouths covered or closed upon tirst going out into the frosty
air.
2d. Place the hands upcm tlie floating ribs just aljove the
waist line. lielax the muscles of the waist and ])ress slowly
inward.
Follow this by throwing outward the side muscles,
willing the muscles to nuike this lateral movement and not
accomplishing it by action of the brejith. Imagine that you
have on a tight belt and try to burst it. I>e sure that the
movement outward is a gradual and steady one. liepeat this
exercise three times.
PurposeTo give strength and rtexil)ility to the side muscles,
which plav an
important i)art
in determining the force of a
tone.
3d. Place the hands in the same position as in Xo. 3, and
expel the l)i-eath from that ])oint; immediately inhale, expand-
ino- the sides against the hands. Ile])eat three times.
PurposeIntelligent direction of the breath, the use of the
muscles of the thorax determining the force of tone, the voice
l)eing soft or loud, pathetic or cold, broken or firm, as these
muscles are relaxed or energized.
-tth. Place the tips of the fingers at the waist just below
the sternum and between the floating ribs, the tiiumbs ex-
tended to the sides. Imped the l)reath through a small aper-
ture in the lips from this central i)oint,
the sides remaining
passive, the action at the diaphragm being inward as the
breath is sent outward. See that the chest does not fall during
this exercise, and repeat three times.
atli. Active chest followed by passive chest. Place one
lumd uj)on the chest, the other upon the abdomen, and lift the
chest directly upward; very slowly depress it, without the
inhaling or exhaling of the breath.
The chest represented by ,
the abdomen by h.
(a.
Thus
-
W
^
You take from h and give to a in the active chest, from a
and give to h in the passive chest. Be careful during this
exorcise to stand in the military position, perfectly erect, and
not to til row out the abdomen b}^ bending the back.
(ith. Stand in military ])osition. Place the tips of the
fingers upon the chest just below the collar bone, and with the
chest in a normal condition count five slowly, with consider-
able force, seeing that the chest is immovable durino- the
counting.
Tth. Position the same as above, inhale an ordinary breath
through the nostrils, and walk about the room counting ra])-
idly on one breath as many as possible before the chest begins
to fall. Stop the moment there is the slisfhtest depression.
Many other exercises could 1)0 uumtioned, but these prop-
erly given will be sufficient to accomplish what is desired,
namely, development of tlie air cell, ccjnti'ol of the breath-
impelling muscles, and strength and elasticity of the various
tissues, cartilaii'es and muscles of the thorax.
(40)
CHAPTER IX.
SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF PHYSICAL CULTURE AND
CORRECT DRESS.
The following are answers received from some of the mem-
bers of the Society for Ph3^sical Culture and Improved Dress
in answer to the question
"
What are you at present wearing
in the way of underclothes?" It will be seen that there is no
particular fashion of underwear adoj>ted, the ]irincipal thing
being to get warmth witliout weight, and a uniform covering
of the body witliout restriction.
I WEAR in winter a medium weight union wool garuient which I find
sufficient for moderate weather. In very cold weather I add black eques-
trienne tights. Over this I wear a light weight dark silk skirt, buttoned to
a white muslin waist which can be washed frequ?ntly. In summer I wear
tlie light woven shirts and equestrienne drawers with either a pongee
princess skirt or one of white muslin.
E. R. J.
I WEAR a gauze union suit for my first garment, then a bust girdle, and in
the winter over these, a black Ypsilanti union suit. Fleece lined cotton
hose, wool tights knee length. My skirt is of black satin hung from a wide
yoke and falling just below the knee. I wear elastic garters above the
knee. In the summer I wear the gauze suit except during the most in-
tense heat. A union garment made of pongee silk, using Butterick pattern,
and either the satin or pongee petticoat
.
A. W. J.
We try to keep the temperature in our living room about sixty-five de-
grees during the winter. I wear a lieavy balbriggan union suit, second
Jaeger wool union suit and merino stockings; when going out, heavy silk
tights. Asleeveless, low-necked, princess pattern, farmer's satin skirt; prin-
cess dress. In summer, silk vest and tights; when very hot, cambric, low
neck, sleeveless union suit, princess skirt, cotton stockings held by woven
wire garters under knee. In spring and fall I change undergarments
according to the weather, comfort being my only guide.
L. T. C.
I TAKE the most comfort in wearing in winterfirst, a union all-wool
suit, then very long wool hose, thirdly, a fine wool union garmentwaist
(41)
and divided skirt comliiuodlow neck, no slopvos, but odf;ed with wool
lace and made tt) fit i)erf'ectly so as to be ready I'or a silk skirt buttoned on
at waist line, and my dress.
I prefer tli<>se to equestriennes and liose. as I feel less restricted and it tills
me upmori'. 1 have just enough waiintii. I use tlie finest silky flannel for
the outer garment, and no other waist, of course.
Summer I use a lightweight wool garment (union), or in very hot
weather the balbriggan shirts and equestriennes, hose, and pongee waist and
skirt combined, or a white cotton one.
A. A. II.
My first garment is a low-necked, short-sleeved, over the knee, lisle
thread combinationvery light weight: long, rather heavy cotton stockings
sui>port(>d by elastics de{)endent on a girdle from the waist: a black alpaca
petticoat, a Grecian bust supporter.
The petticoat is finished at the waist by a smooth giidlc but is not hung
from the waist. My dress completes my clothing. 1 never dressed so
lightly before, but am perfectly warm, and delighted not to need flannels,
although prepared to change the lisle thread for woolen combination if the
weather grows severe. I have not worn tights this year when going out
of doors as I have done formerly.
L. D.
M()ST satisfactory to me now is the gauze-linen or else the fish-netted linen
midergarments ne.xt to the skin. Over this silk or wool, with stockings
uuited or separate. If indei)endent, the stockings are supported by over-
shoulder supporters.
One skirt, having a skclctDii waist. In cxticmcly cold weather, the skirt
may l)e heavy and extend ovci- cliest and aims. It may be perfectly plain
and of blanketing, or it may be of line and ricli fabric and handsomely
ornamented. X<> cdisct or nndcrwaisi nrcd \h' used, and I do not require
one, as the well develoiied muscles liold the Ixxly nji and in sliape far bet-
ter. The shoes are, of course, soft, and have low. or no lirels.
Next to the dress or gown proper may be worn a silk or muslin slip, and
exposed at neck, wrist, and side of skirt, if dress isoj);ii.
C. Le F.
For summer I wear a low-necked short-sleeved, over-the-knee lisle thread
combination. I have two sets, one light, and a hi a vicr set for cool days:
change with the wt>ather: lojig stockings suppt)rted by elastics dependent
from a Grecian bust supporter: waist ami skirt combined, low neck, and no
sleeves.
For wintei', a \\int('r all wool suit, long wool stockings: my combination
petticoat made \\ itli a slioit skirt and a silk skirt buttou'-d on at waist line.
My gown, always made in one i)iece, completes my clothing.
My clothing brini; perfectly loose inqu-oves my cu-cvdation, and I am com-
fortabl(> with verv little undi'rclothing.
L. B. T. K.
I HAVK been astonished to lind out how utterly and lio])elessly
ignorant
women in riu'al districts are regarding comfortable underwear:
hopelessly
I say, because of their unwillingness to adopt anything new or different
from the vile so-called
"
cotton" flannel. I wonder if there is a place bad
enough for the inventor of such fabric ?
(42)
i found women otherwise intellij;ent, up to all new ideas upon
otlier sub-
jects, wlio had never heard of tights or union
underwear,
wearing
many
white skirts with bands cutting into their waists.
I have found the union suits detective, inasmuch as they are too short m
the body and too close fitting across the bust.
*
This
complaint is
universal,
I find. I had, several years ago. union suits for summer wear, woven knee
lengths, wide like umbrella drawers, but I have been unable to get them of
late years. They were of fine cotton and of good shape. I never found
out the name of"the manufacturers, but have often thought that some one
who made the goods might be inclined to put them upon the market agam.
I have seen suits advertised of late with full busts, but not being in nn-
mediate need of underwear have not seen them.
The tights I find entirely satisfactory,
both wool and silks.
The Grecian
bust
support is entirely satisfactory.
Those who wear them
consider them
perfect.
All skirts I wear fastened to waists, and gowns made without
lining, and skirts either sewed fast or buttoned to well fitted
waists of silk,
of fine firm linen or cotton, or buttoned to
" guimpes."
K. H. W.
MRS.
stowk's
appp:al to women in ISGO.
[Witli the '-c.M-aial consent" of Hnn.'ht.ui, Mifflin & Co., we reprint the folluwing from
Mrs. Stowe's
Chimney Corner Papers, with added emphasis,]
It is the greatest
misfortune of the civilized world, at the
present
hour,
that the state of morals in France is apparently at the lowest ebb, and con-
sequently the leadership of fashion is entirely in the hands of a
class of
women who could not be admitted into good
society m any
country.
Women who can never have the name of
wife-who
know none of the
ties of family-these are the dictators
whose dress and
equipage
and ap-
pointments give the law, first to France, and through
France to the
civil-
ized world. Such was the
confession of Monsieur
Dupin.
made m a late
speech before the French Senate,
and
acknowledged,
with
murmurs of as-
sent on all sides, to be the truth.
This is the reason why the
fashions
have
such an utter disregard of all those laws of
prudence and economy
which
regulate the
expenditures of
families. They are made by
women
whose
sole and only hold on life is personal
attractiveness,
and with whom to
keep this up, at anv cost, is a
desperate
ne.-essity. No
moral
quality,
no
association of puritV,
truth,
modesty,
self-denial, or family love,
comes m
to hallow the
atmosphere
about them, and create a
sphere of
lovelmess
which brightens as mere
physical beauty
fades.
The ravages of tune and
dissipation must be made up by an
unceasing
study of the arts of the toilet
Artists of all sorts,
moving in their train, rack all the stores of ancient
and
modern art for the
picturesque,
the
dazzling,
and the
grotesque;
and so,
P^st these circles of society should carry all before them, and
enchant
every
husband,
brother and lover, the staid and
lawful
Penelopes
leave the hearth
and home to follow in their
triumphal
march and imitate
their arts.
Thus
it goes in France;
and in
England,
virtuous and
domestic
princesses
and
peeresses
must take
obediently
what has been decreed by their rulers in the
demi
monde of France;
and we an America
have
leaders of fashion
wno
make it their
pride and glory to turn New York into Pans, and t k^
*Mrs- W. is above the average in size.
even stop with all that is f^oinf^on thore. So the whole world of womankind
is really marching under tiii' command of these leaders. The love of dress
and glitter and fashion is getting to be a morbid, unhealthy epidemic,
which really eats away the nobleness and purity of woman.
In France, as Monsieur Dupin, Edmond About and Michelet tell us,
the extravagant demands of love of dress lead women to contract debts
unknown to their husbands, and sign obligations which are paid by the
sacrifice of honor, and thus the purity of the family is continually imder-
mined. In England there is a voice of complaint, sounding from the lead-
ing periodicals, that the extravagant demands of female fashion are
bringing distress into families, and making marriages impossible; and some-
thing of the same sort seems to have begun here. * *
We have just come through a great struggle in which our women have
borne an heroic parthave shown themselves capable of any kind of en-
durance and self-sacrifice; and now we are in that reconstructive state
which makes it of the greatest consequence to ourselves and the world that
we understand our own institutions and position, and learn that, instead of
following the corrupt and wornout ways of the Old World, we are called on
to set tlie exami)le of a new state of societynoble, simple, pure and re-
ligious: and women can do more towards this even than men, for women
are the real architects of society.
'
Viewed in this light, even the small frittering cares of woman's lifethe
attention to buttons, trimmings, thread, and sewing silk may be an expres-
sion of their patriotism and their religion. A noble-hearted woman puts a
noble meaning into even the commonplace details of life. The women of
America can, if they choose, hold back their country from following in
the wake of old, corrupt, worn-out, effeminate European society, and make
America the leader of the world in all that is good. * *
Where there is a will there is a way. Only resolve that you will put the
true beauty firstthat, even if you do have to seem unfashionable, you
will follow the highest beauty of womanhoodand the battle is half gained.
* *
It requires on]
!i
an anny
of
girls animated ivith this noble pur-
pose to declare independence in America, and emancipate us from the de-
crees and tyrannies of French actresses and ballet dancers. GIRLS! YOU
YET CAN, IF YOU WILL, SAVE THE REPUBLIC.
In 1800. ]\Irs. Caroline M. Severance, who was the first president of the
New England Woman's Club, -wTote concerning the subjection of American
women to foreign dictation in dress:

"
It is as unworthy them as submission to English tyranny would have
been on the part of our fathers. More injurious, also, as it threatens the
ruin of all physical vigor for the generations yet to come. But I am com-
forted in this matter by the growing attention to i)h}'sical exercise and de-
velopmentwhich must necessitate a more healthful style of dressand
which Heaven and all good women forbid to be o}dy a passing fashion !
"
Mrs. Alice Freeman Palmer, says:" Women need no other one thing so
much as freedom of movement in dress."
Mrs. Mary A. Livermore, writes

"I will authorize you to use my name

iu favor of the strongest di-ess reform that may be inaugurated."
CHAPTER X.
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF WOMEN.
Extract from the Report of the Committee on Dress, by its
Chairman, Mrs. Frank Johxson, to be given at the next
meeting, in Boston, of the JN'ational Council of AVomen :
A RAINY DAY DKKSS.
A movement toward re-adoi)tion of a dress suitable for rainv
days is mailing itself felt all over the country. Concerted
action will hasten the day of emancipation from our old
enemy to health, comfort and neatnessthe bedraggled skirt.
The bicycling costume, worn with knickerbockers,
made of
clavenette or storm serge, bicycle boots or cloth leggino-s, with
soft felt hat, offer suggestions which can be varied to suit the
Avearer.
ARTISTIC SUGGESTIONS.
If the dressmak'er is merely an artisan, she may need help
in designing an artistic costume upon rational lines.
The following are among some rules adopted by the Chi-
cago Dress Club, which have been found most hei])ful. Tlie
lines of the gown should follow those of the natural bodv, as
represented in classic sculpture; the arm-hold describing
the
top of the shoulder joint; the sleeve following the shoulder
line, or at least not contradicting it; the front line below the
bust having a gentle outward curve; the whole ]iresenting the
contour of the Yenus de Milo, and not inward Y-lilce lines.
2. Every part of the gown should be suspended from the
shoulders, and should ai)])ear to be so suspended.
3. The dress should be loose enough to permit free and
graceful movement.
4. The form of construction should be suited to the fabric

simple forms for heavy goods, and gathers for thin materials.
5. The costume should be genuine tiiroughout. If made
(45)
of two materials, its prototype would be the gowns of the
earl V
mitldle ages, one worn over another. If there is ])ar(lon-
able simulation, that simulation should be consistent; i. c,
where oiK^ material seems to be that of au undergarment (like
the guimj)e), it should apj)ear to be au undergarment, every
time that particular material appears.
0. The decoration of the gown should be subordinated to
the o'own itself; the ornament should sei've, or seem to serve,
the pui'poses of strengthening the edges, uniting the parts, or
holding together.
7. TIu gown should be suited to the personality of the
wearer, in color, texture and form.
nilJDS, WIX(iS AND FEATUEES EMPLOYED AS OARXITUKE.
Fi'om the school room there should certainly emanate a sen-
timent which would discourage forever the slaughter of birds
for ornament.
The use of birds and their })luuuige is as inartistic as it is
cruel and barbarous.
TUF, IIAI.O.
'
One London dealer in l)irds received, when the fashion was
at its height, a single consignment of thirty-two thousand dead
humming birds, and another received, at one time, thirty thou-
sand aquatic birds and three hundred thousand ])airs of
wings."
Tliinlc what a price to pay,
Fai-es so briglit and gay,
Just for a hat
!
Flowers uiivisited, mornings unsung,
Sea-ranges bare of the wings that o'erswung,

Bared just for tlmt

!
Tliink of the others, too,
Otliers and motheri^, too,
Bright-Eyes in liat !
Hear you no mothei'-groan floating in air,
Hear you no little moan,birdling"s despair,

Somewhere for that?

Caught 'mid some mother-work,
Torn by a hunter Turk,
Just for your hat
!
Plenty of mother-heart yet in tiic world:
All the more wings to tear, carefully twirled 1
Women want that ?
(46)
Oh, but the sliame of it,
01), but the blauie of it,
Price of a hat
!
Just fV)r a jauntiness bi'ightenin<;- tlie street
!
Tliis is your lialo, O faces so sweet,

Di'dtli and fortliat!

11'.
C. Gdiiiictt.
ADOPTING PRKVAILING STYLKS.
One need not entirely discard prevailing styles. It is often
possible to ada])t them to the needs of the wearer, so that they
may be both l)eautifnl and hygienic.
The princess, cnt so low as to form a very low corsage, worn
with the shirt waist, obviates the distinct objections to tiiat
garment, /. e., removing the weight of the skirt fronr the hips
and preventing the al)rupt line at the waist.
TO TKACnEKS.
The dress committee of the Xational Conncil of Women
appeal to yon for aid in secnring the attention of girls and
3^onng women npon the imj)ortant snbject of rational dress.
In the interest of this movement toward a dress which shall
giv^e greater freedom to the body, and at the same time ])ossess
greater artistic beanty than the prevailing style, will you
give short talks to your girls upon the toi)ics
suggested in the
accompanying circular^ The dress committee, in ])ursuance
of its work, will gladly furnish you with literature and all
practical help within its power.
(47)
CIIArXER XI.
BOOKS FOR STUDY.
The propaganda envelope of the society for the promotion
of pliysical culture and correct dress, selected by Mrs. F. W.
Parker, Chairman of Propaganda Committee.
1.
"
Annual Club Book."
2.
"
Artistic Dress," Mrs. Frances M. Steele.
3. "Fashion's Slaves," B. O. Flower.
4. "The Unreasonableness of Modern Dress," Bayard
Holmes, M. D.
6.
" The Corset," K. L. Dickerson.
6.
"
The Influence of Dress in Producing Decadence of
American Women," J. H. Kellogg, M. D.
7.
"
Scientific Shoe," Samuel Appleton.
8.
"
Perfection Bust Supporter," Mrs. C. D. JSTewell.
9.
"
Hygienic Underwear," Jaros.
10. "Ypsilanti."
The entire envelope sent by mail, post])aid, on receipt of
fifty cents.
Mrs. Laura B. T. Kett,
3552 Prairie Ave., Chicago, 111.
"
Beauty of Form and Grace of Vesture," by Frances Mary
Steele and Elizabeth Steele iVdams.
Todd, Mp:ad & Co.,
^^ew York, N. Y.
RECOMMKXDKD BY" TUE LONDON "
HEALTHY AND ARTLSTIC DRESS
UNION."
"Chapter on Greek Dress," by Lady ]\[illington Evans.
"
Ten Centuries of Toilette," translated b}^ Mrs. Cashil
Iloeg.
"The Art of Peauty," by Mrs. A. P. Hawies.
(48)
"The Influence of Clotliing on llealtli;' by F. Srioec, F. E.
C. S.
''
Health Culture," by Dr. Jaeger.
"
Health and Beauty in Dress," by Ada S. Uallus.
^^
The Dress Problem," by Edith Ward.
"Dress, Health and Beauty," by Ward, Lock & Co.
''
Form and Color," Liberty A: ( o.
Lontlon Jonrnal Aglais, Miss Amy Theobald, Xo. 33 Cool-
liurst lioad. Crouch End, London.
'
Simple and Practical Methods in Dress Befoi'm," Bobert
L. Dickerson, M. D., Brooklyn, N. Y.
"
Fashion's Slaves," B. O. Flower, Arena Puljlishing Co.,
Copley Square, J)oston, Mass.
"Report of Committee on Dress," National Council of AVo-
men of the United States, Mrs. Frank Johnson, No. 38()T
Langley Ave., Chicago, 111.
"
Dress Reform in America," Frances E. Russell, August
Arena.
"
AVoman's AVay Out."
"
Progress vs. F^ashion."
"
History of the AVoman's Costume Reform in the United
States of America," Mary E. Tillotson, A'ineland, jS^ew Jersey.
"
The Influence of Dress in Producing the Physical Deca-
dence of American A\^omen," J. II. Kellogg, INF. D., i'attle
(Jreek, Mich.
"
Economical Hints for Dress and Health," Mrs. C. D.
Newell, Chicago, 111.
(49)
CHAPTER XI I.
PATTERNS.
In my upeniiiii; i):ii';igra])h, 1 stated that tliis ])ainj)hlet was
in answer to the many letters received from all over the coun-
try in regard to matters of dress. The gowns here given are
not put forth as by any means perfect illustrations of wiiat
ought to be, but rather some of the more successful gowns
which have been evolved, covering the ])eriod from 1S88 to
1896. I have watched the movement for improved dress very
closely and have talked in many States, getting frank and free
expression from all sorts and conditions of women. Two
things stand in the way of tiiis movement: lack of conviction
on the one hand, and on the other, an absolute helplessness in
the face of dilficuhies whieli immediat(^ly present themselves
when a
departure from conventional dress is essayed.
l^)elieving with Horace Greeley, that the way to resume is
to resume, I hold that the ])rob1em will never be solved if we
wait for the ideal, or expect to achieve universal
success. Oft-
entimes, that which is artistic, because it is so wide a de})arture
from the conventional, appears to honest critics as merely
theatrical; it is, therefore, better to see what can be done in
the way of modifying and adapting the conventional
dress,
that it may, in some degree, approximate to the comfort and
beauty that the wearer desires. The conventional
dress, at
the })resent writing, lends itself very j'eadily to the cause,
(" Large waists are in fashion this year,") as will be seen by
the wool dress nuirked, 1890. Every fasliion admits of modi-
fication and one can satisfy conscience, and at the same time
keep within bounds, thus silently convincing many
women,
whom it would otherwise be impossible to convince.
Mrs. ^N'ewell, who has herself been for many years experi-
menting, will furnish j)atterns of any of the dresses shown, or
cloth and ])a per models in two or more colors if desired.
It
is at her
suggestion that this pamphlet contains so much that is
(50)
practical. She says every mail brings letters asking for help
in designing gowns and adjusting underwear.
When women once know how to begin, their dwu taste and
judgment will show them how to continue. To take the first
step costs.
DIKKCTloNS FOK TAKINlJ PKOl'EK ^[KASLKES FOR IMPROVED DRESS
i'ATTERNS.
Pattern of full dress and petticoat, to wear under the dress,
made of chea]) cambric; price, $3.00 for both.
l*a])ei' pattern for the dress, 50c., and 5()c. for ])etticoat.
When ordeririiT, please say of what goods the dress is to be
made, and for what occasion it is intended; also
Number inches around the body, above bust and under
arms.
Number inches around the body directly under bust and
under ai'ius.
Number inches from armpit to top of hip bone, measured
on naked l)ody.
Numlti'i' inches between arm holes of oi'dinary dress at
shouhK'r l)hides.
Numl)er iiu-hes around neck.
Number inches from chin, when held back against neck, to
the floor.
Number of inches from nape of neck to floor behind.
Number inches from middle of back, over elbow, to wi'ist
bone.
Number of inches fi'om ai'mpit to wrist bone.
Number of inches around hips.
Height.
Color of complexion.
J-'}>r o/'d'r l>hiiil-x fipf parjcK
?">.
?^, ?7.
The patterns are cut in 8 si/.es, fntm .'jd
to 44 inches,
bust
measure,
(01)
Puttei'ii of ffiiTs divided skirt sent bv mail for tweiitv cents.
The slcirt, ready-made, for a girl from 8 to 12 years of age,
ill domestic gingham or blue drilling; price $1.00; made in
flannel, price $2.00.
When ordering, give age and waist measure.
Mrs. C. D. Np:well,
223 Dickey Ave.,
Chicago.
(52)
Fig. 1.
The lace guimpe made of Oriental lace, tying with narrow
ribbons at the back under the collar. The dress is a blue pon-
gee silk, surj)lice front, cool and comfortable for summer.
(53)
Fig. 2.
Figured muslin, sur})lice front.
(54)
Fig. 3.
Olive
green silk;
olive
green velvet
waist,
trimmed
with
jeweled
passementerie.
(55)
Fig. 4.
Gray grenadine over gray satin. Satin sasli of darker gray,
garniture pink daisies.
{00,
Fig. 5.
This photograph is badly taken. The dress has ver}^ good
lines and would be pronounced a success by the most conserva-
tive. It is made of English serge, the same material as the
cloak next described. It is princess back with full plaits at
the waist, which make a coat-like effect; a jacket front, a vest
of dark red satin over which is a heavy silk passementerie
without beads; collar and cuffs the same as the vest.
(57)
Fig. 5.
Again, comparing this dress, made four years ago, with the
coaventional dress of to da}^
C^^')'
i^ niade witii a full silk or
satin front, a cuff flaring forward and covering the hand to
the knuckle, the ])uff of the sleeve made a bit higher and
some kind of stiffening put in the bottom of the skirt to make
it stand out, it could be worn without any one for an instant
thinking the wearer
"
singular" or "pronounced."
(r,8)
Fig. 5.
A cloak of heavy English serge, color cadet blue. It comes
to the bottom of the dress, the body of
cai)e
and smaller capes
are lined with dark wine satin, and is fastened at the throat
with an oxidized silver clasp. The collar is high and can be
turned up in cold weather to protect the ears. The untrimmed
cape is for spring and fall, the fur trimmed is more heavily
lined and suitable for winter. If a cloak titted in at the waist
(59)
Fig. 5.
is I'cMjuii'ed, the
"
Jiiissiaii (,'ircular
"
made by JMai'shall Field
A: Co., Cliicago, is among tlie best.
(60)
Fia. 5.
Electric blue cloth, lined with dark-red satin. This cloak is
the same pattern as one previously shown, but heavily lined
and trimmed Avith fur for winter wear.
(61)
FlLi. 0.
A brown Avoolen striped goods, oiio stripe light, tlic dark
sti'ipe mixed sliades of brown. The jacket of brown velvet-
een, clas))e(l in front with oxidized silver clasp. The guinipe
is (jf suiah silk. st)'i{)ed with a light brown gimp, the same
being used in the collar. This dress was made in 181H.
To
make it suitable for the present style, the skirt should be gored
to Hare a little at the bottom and the collar made higher, the
(02)
Flu. (3.
sleeves longer, I'eachiui^ to the kmiclcles and flariiiii' ;it the bot-
tom. The velveteen should be used to lace the sleeve at the
bottom.
(63)
Fig. T.
This di-ess is very suitable for liouso. rainv day, shopping,
etc. The waist can be made of silk or linen at choice, and
changed i-eadily when soiled. It looks as well on a stout
woman as on a thin woman, and because of the variety of
waists that can be worn is a most suitable dress for all kinds
of weather. The illustration shown is a ])lain brown camel's
hair, the waist of brown silk, a lighter shade than the dress,
but of the same tone.
(04)
Fig. 8.
A black silk petticoat, buttoned in the back, made afttn- the
princess style. For winter this can be made of silesia, drilliiiii',
or any other material for the upper part, the lower jmrt of
merino. Again, if I were making- a skirt to be worn with the
dresses of to-day, I should plait the merino at the back and
g'ore the skirt, making it as full as required. Nothing else
would be necessary that it might be worn with the conven-
tional full skirt of to-day.
(Go)
Vio. 9.
Materiiil for this dress is Venetian Brown velveteen and the
heavy corded silk of lighter shade. It is laced in the back,
finished with a velveteen collar, velveteen ])uff at the shoulder,
also pai't of the sleeve being made of coi'ded silk and finished
with a })lain band of the velveteen. The front of the waist is
entirely of velveteen carried plainly down at the side sloping
in to the waist. The skirt is fastened at the side, top of the
(66)
skirt coming high on the waist, cutting across the guimpe,
which is under the bust. The guimpe is made of silk the
same as the goods and is gathered at neck. Lace about six
inches in depth is plaited in the center and carried plain for
three inches, plaited again, then the ends brought down and
fastened inside of front of the skirt. The lining of the skirt
is sewed to the waist of the dress but the outside velveteen
piece is unlined, being simply turned at the edge and caught
lightly to prevent any fraying of the exh^e. This is done that
it may fit smoothly across the front, which could not be if it
were lined. This is an exceedingly graceful gown, suitable
for home and evening wear and very economical, as velveteen
is an excellent wearing material. It has the effect of a tea
gown without being fussy in detail.
(67)
Fig. 10.
Phiin colored broadcloth, velvet jackt^t, triniiiHMl with l)lack
inarteii I'ur. Hat ol" plum colored I'elt, triinmcd with black
satin ribbon and black ostrich tips.
(Gb)
Fig. 10.
(69)
Fia. 11.
Foundation slip, a black surah silk; covering, ordinary black
figured lace. The waist and I'ront are black bi'ussels net in
fine plaits. The collar and girdle of fine bead passementerie.
The dress is much more graceful out of the picture than in it,
the lights being such as renders it almost impossible to get the
real effect of the dress. It was made in 1892. It only needs
the
addition of another petticoat, a bit of lace plaited in at the
(70)
Fig. 11.
collar and a fuller g'uim])e to make it unnoticed as anything
out of the common, at the present writing, 1S90.
(71)
Fia. 13.
Gray cloth with embroidered figures in shaded grays. Gray
velvet jacket and lighter gray silk guimpe. Gray suede shoes.
(:-3)
Fig. 13.
(73)
^^^^^^^^^^^^~
is a plaited ruffle of the yellow satin at the bottom of the
skirt. The overdress is of yellow Madras lace, fastened on
either shoulder with an ornament, open at front and tied in
a loose knot at back, at waist by a braided cord of yellow
silk with tassel ornaments at both ends.
Fig. 14.
Art silk, velvet passementerie, exhibited at Columbian Ex-
position. A very beautiful dress but badly photographed.
(75)
Fig. 15.
This is one of the most satisfactory dresses that I have ever
had. It is a lio^ht blue gown, barred off by navy blue stripes.
The material with which it is combined is cadet blue satin. It
is a full skirt sewed on the Avaistand fastening at the side. If
making up such goods again, I should have no seam down the
center of the back, and tiie side pieces should start from the
shoulder seam, instead of curving into the arm-hole.
(76)
Fig. 15.
Airaiii, all that would be necessarv to make this dross, which
was made five years ago, a dress of to-day, ^\()uld I)e to make
the lapels of the jacket wider, and to raise tlie puff of the
sleeve just above the elbow.
The dress is of all-wool cashmere, has l)eeii washed twice

the satin being renewed onceand has been in constant wear

for live years.
(77)
Fig. 10.
This is an evening dress; a ])lain silk slip of nile green, cov-
ered with net lace and confined with ribbon of the same
shade.
(7S)
Fia. 17.
Striped surah silk, Avitli sash lined with yellow silk and vest
faced with o;ros-":rain silk.
(79)
Fig. 18.
A black sumli silk, very glossy surface, dotted over with
yellow coi'ii flowers, the material looking' very much less
s])()tted than would a])pear from the })hotogra|)li. It has a full
hack gathered iu the centei" the front is gored and I'ather
[)lairi. The hack of the waist is plain at the shouhhM's and
gathei'td in at the centre of the holt; the front is also plain
at
(80)
Fig. is.
the shoulders and gathered in slii;litly at tlie waist. The l)elt,
a wide piece of the goods, drawn ])lainly around the waist,
fastens at the side. The trimming is a coarse l)lack silk net
m line plaits, edged with three nari'ow ril)l)ons of different
shades, Avhich reproduce the colors in the dress. Thei'e is a
band of the net about tlie neck, finished with a rcjsette in front.
(81)
There is also a knot or rosctto in the front wiiere the heading
of the rulHo, a twisted band of net upon whicli the ribbon is
sewn, conies together. The narrow ribbon is sewn iin(h3r the
net and not outside, as is customary, that it may tone in with
the dress. This dress was made live years ago.
If I were making the dress to-(hiy I shoiihl have the slcirt
dare a httle more at the bottom, should have one ])uff at the
top of sleeve, which would end just ahovc the elbow, and two
rosettes of the ti-imming at the back of the neck; would also
make the waist ruffle two inches deeper-. This would l)e all
the change necessary to make the dress more in accordance
with the fashion of to-day (1800).
^~')
na. 19.
A dress of plain gray cashmere, jacket, front, collar and
lower part of sleeves of a darker gray velvet. The dress
would be improved by putting a fold of the goods at the bot-
tom instead of ruffle. It is an exceedingly pretty house dress.
Is made with one seam in the back. If desired, the edge of
the jacket can be finished with a fold of the goods or a pretty
(83)
Fl(i. 1!).
</]u\]). The sleeve as it comes over the hiiiul llai'cs slio-litlv.
js
lined witii the i;)'ay velvet. aii<l the pull' of sU'eve siioukl be
made a little hirii-er.
(84)
Fk;. 20.
This suit consists of blonso waist, Eton jaclcet, circular ca))G
and divided slvirt. Tlie slvirt is adjustaljle any length one may
require for walking, and if it is muddy, the skirt can be short-
ened or lengthened while on the street, with no inconvenience.
This skirt is so fashioned that the divide does not show while
walking, except when taking a very long step. Price of pat-
tern of entire suit, 50 cents.
Fig. 21.
Black and white checked silk. Coat back, falling over the
skirt; the skirt is sewed to the waist under the coat back, which
is fastened at the sides, forming the center breadths of the
back. The revere and bottom of sleeves are finished by a
narrow black jet gimp. The front is of pink satin, over which
is sewed three rows of lace insertion. The lace insertion is of
black, embroidered in blue and pink, the collar being of pink
(86)
Fig. 21.
satin
covered
with the
h^ce
insertion.
The fron
is separate
from
the dress,
is
hooked
at the back
under the
colhir,
fastened
at the
side
and at the
waist by
hooks.
The belt is a wide
band
unlined,
of same
material as the
dress.
Three
fronts are
worn
with
this
dress,
the
pink one
described,
one ot red satin
covered
with
cream
fish net,
and one
front of same
goods us
dress.
(87)
Fio. 23.
Exhibited at the World's Fair. Keene coat, front view.
(88)
<^HR^!w^Bi\
>'
and seamed to it. There is a yoke in the back to which the
back breadths are attached nnder, and it let in at the waist
line.
A very pretty house dress, made of plain brown Henrietta,
silk and wool; the girdle made of braids, beaded, and ending in
bead pendants. The braids are of different widths, the same
])attern, graduated widths, growing narrow^er as they come to
the front. The dress w^ould be quite as effective without the
j)endants, with simply a plait or braid of gimp coming to a
point in tlie front and carried straight across the waist, or
pointed in the l)ack as w^ell. This dress was made in 1889, and
if made to-day would have the mutton-leg sleeve rather full
at the top, and the lace guimpe higher at the throat and
fuller.
90
Fig. 24.
White batiste with pale pink stripes and bunches of violets,
worn over white embroidered petticoat same as the embroidery
in the front of the waist. Leghorn hat trimmed with differ-
ent colored roses and green ribbon.
(91)
Fig.
2.-).
A lii^lit cream-colored silk with pale lavender flowers and
faint olive leaves. It is similar in make to the black surah
with corn Howers, with the excej)tion that the Ijack of the
waist is perfectly plain and the skirt ])laited in one broad
(92)
Fig.
2^).
])l;iit at the back instead of being ^aliicred. Tlir triiiiiuiiii:- is
(lark ])ui'|)le velvet, the 3^oke. colkir and cutt's InAnu: made of
the velvet and covered with duchess kice. The skii-t is sewed
to the waist and is worn without a bolt.
(93)
Fig. 26.
This beautiful dress is of brocaded silk, and was one of the
dresses exhibited at the Worhi's Cokinibian P]x)iosition by the
Society for Pliysical Culture and Correct Dress. The jacke^t
front is of velvet trimmed with passementerie. At the neck
the material is shirred: white lace as finish.
(94)
Fig. 27.
The material for this dress is a
Persian cloth, light green,
decorated in many colors. It is a princess gown, the lace of
the jacket being of a light brown
which tones in with certain
shades of the dress. The vest is of salmon pink silk covered
with light green silk net, the collar of green velvet. The
heavy guipure lace, of which the jacket is made, was lined
(9oJ
Fig. 27.
with ])ale tj^reen, and in effect was not nearly so dark as the
j)icture rej)resents.
This dress was maih' five years a;^o; and ai^ain, to l)e more
conventional, would only necessitate the flarini^- skirt, the puff
of the sleeve carried hio^her, and the front of the lace made
jacket fashion with full jabot of lace at the throat.
(96)
Flo. 38.
It is of India silk, shirred at the neck, the shining making
a kind of round yoke. The fullness also shirred at the belt,
and the gored skirt a little full at the waist, and that also
shirred. A girdle may be worn with this gown, or it is pretty
without one.
(97)
Fig. I'y.
A blue-green cameVs hair; green velvet ]aj)els and collar.
Vest of light blue satin, trimmed with bead ])assementerie
about collar and girdle. On the blue satin front is sewed
lace insertion, into which are worked pale pink and blue
figures. The skirt is nuide se])arate. Ihittons sewed on skirt
l)and and fastened by loo])s of braid to the waist. The neck,
although seemingly high, flares out in such a manner that
tiiere is perfect freedom of movement.
(98)
Fig. 29.
(99)
Fig. 30.
Bicycle -6'?</^.Divided skirt made of blue serg-e. Leggings
of the same, short jacket worn over the sweater. The skirt
can be worn either with silk or linen waist according to the
weather. This dress can be ordered, jacket, skirt and leggings,
of Marshall Field, costing all the way from $17
to %'60, ac-
cordin"- to material.
(100)
Fig. 30,
(101)
Fia. 31.
"White cashmere dress; accordion plaited skirt finislied with
lace ruffle at neck and sleeves, Avith broad lace colhir.
(102)
Fig. 32.
Plain grav surah silk.
Waist and skirt separate.
Tiie top
of skirt
finished
with a narrow
ribbon belt. The sleeves and
vest are of satin, and the body
and skirt are of the surah.
The satin is figured,
being roses in shades of pink, crimson and
dark
crome.
^Collar and
cuffs are of crimson
velvet with
broad
laco
collarette
coming to a
point in back and front.
(103)
Fig. 32.
(104)
Fig. m.
Figured muslin, lace at neck, bottom of waist corded, skirt
sewed to waist.
(105)
Fig. 33.
(106)
Fig. 34.
It was impossible to get this dress to sliow its beauty. It is
really one of the most successful dresses that I have ever seen
worn. It is for a young girl, and is made plain in front with
gored lines at the side, fitting it loosely to the form. In design
the back is like No. 23, white satin bows on the shoulder. It
is finished around the neck wath a white satin cord, but a
headino; of lace can be used if so desired. The material shown
is white surah silk, but it can be made in cashmere, or any
light goods suitable for evening wear.
(lOT)
ui. Sry.
(109)
Fig. 36.
Old rose brocaded satin with Louis XV. biuu-li of flowers
(love knots and cupid's quiver) in white. Old point lace in
the front o( waist, white satin slippers.
(110)
Fig. 36.
(Ill)
Fi(i. 87.
A pale gniy silk combined with old rose. Passementerie
trimmin*:;' consists of small roses and leaves, the roses in pink
shaded to crimson, the leaves in different shades of olive green.
It can be worn with oi' without i'il)l)()n l)elt. If the ribbon is
tied in fi'ont it should be a. lar'ge bow without ends made of
pink, antl if tied at the back, it should be of gray with long
ends.
(112)
Fig. 37.
(113)
Fig. as.
This re])ress'nts the white waist worn with the ordinary
summer skirt. It is perfectly ])hiin with one seam in the back,
one under th(; arm and two (hirts in front; it is cut low in the
neck and h)W under the arms to make it as cool as possible.
A winter waist, made for the same purpose, would be higher
in the neck and greater width of shoulder straps to support
the wei'dit of ln'avier skirts. Flat bone bnttons are used for
securing the skirts.
(114)
Fig. 39.
A heavy, wash, surah silk, white, edged with Valenciennes
lace at the sleeves and neck. There are five l)readtlis in the
skirt, iini>ored, gathered and sewed upon tlie waist. This
skirt I am wearing- to-day, but have put light liair cloth, about
six inches in depth in the bottom, for holding out the skirt.
(115)
Fig. 40.
Material, black figured lace made over black surah silk; slip
finished at the neck and sleeves with broad lace. The lace
laid in folds at the shoulders, caught in at the waist by palui-
leaf passementerie of black, edged with yellow. Tiie back of
the waist is fitted at shoulders, left full at the bottom, carried
in at the micklle of the waist, and fastened with a ])assemen-
terie tiie same as in the front of the waist. The skii-t hangs
full in the center and back, is fj:ored under the arms and han^:-
ing almost plain at the sides.
(116)
Fig. 41.
A rough goods, dai-k red, covered with raised knots of
brown; waist and skirt made separately. The waist band ig
covered with a narrow fokl of the goods and fastened to the
waist by large hooks. The front is of velvet-shaded satin,
green, brown, red and cream. Bands of velvet covered with
white appliquet run from shoulder to belt. The velvet col-
larette comes over the tops of the sleeves. Collar of velvet
(117)
Fig. 41.
trimmed with white apphquet, same width as that on collar-
ette. A band of velvet and qnillino's of the fancy sillc liiiisli
the sleeves: velvet l)ow at tlie l)ack of neck and at the Ix'lt.
(118)
Fig. 42.
White silk
o-own finislied with cord at neck.
(119)
Fig. 43.
Black moiro antique trimmed with jet passementerie which
serves as a belt. The waist is made of black plaited chiflfon
lined in the back with black surah, in the front with li<j;-h.t blue.
This dress has a collai" covered with light blue sui'ah over
which is the black chilfon; over that, jiassementerie, such as
forms the belt. For a more dressy occasion, a collar made of
black lace on which are white lace a})pliquet figures, is worn.
(120)
P^Ki. 4;}.
This lace is bought by the yard, pointed and edged with a
])laiting of light blue chiffon. The same light blue plaited
chitfon finishes the sleeve and is around the edge of the collar.
(131)
Fig. 44.
Evening D)'e.'<s. Sleeves and skirt of ap])le green satin.
"Waist of tignr(Ml silk in which there are deep crimson flowers,
green leaves, a stri])e of light bine and a stri])e of deep crimson.
The collar is of (h'cj) crimson satin, over which is an eml)i'oid-
ered Madras, alt(;rnating wheels of pale bine and cream. There
are panels the same as the collar on either side of the front
breadth. The sleeves are finished by a band, the same as col-
(123)
r
Fig. 44.
lar; dee]i lace at the sleev^es, and a iiarrower lace of the saine
kind finishes the neck. The belt is a twisted piece of silk the
same as l)0(lv of the dress.
(123)
DRESSMAKERS.
[ am ropoatoilly asked for a. (liv'ssiiKiLci-, who cnii suit tlie
individual, who has an eye for eoh)i', who will linish a dress
well; one who can make a dress that is eoinl'oi'tahle and at the
same time will not depart so far from the conventional that
the wearer will he the "olisei-ved of all oljservers,'" if not the
derided of all observers.
Miss Anxik M. (tiusox, ;;1 E. AVashinj,-ton St., Tioom T;12,
Chicao'o. III.. h;is di'si^'iied some of the most desiral)le dresses
that I have had.
INIks. Iior,F,RT DiRFKxnoRF, 4710 Calumet Ave., Chieao'o. is a
lady of excellent taste in (h^sii^ii and linish and will make
dresses eithei' at home oi' upon order.
I can umpialiliedly recommend both la<lies.
(124)
M WILL furnish a pattern of
^
girl's divided skirt for 20cents,
sent by mail. TJic skirt ready-
made for a girl from 8 to 12
years of age, in domestic ging-
ham or blue drilh'ng, price ^^i.oo;
made in flannel, price $2.00.
When ordering, give age and
waist measure.
MRS. C. D. NEWELL,
223 Dickey Avenue,
- CHICAGO.
TALLADEGA, ALA.,
|
Sept. I, 1896.
)
DEAR MRS. NEWELL:
Your kind letter, also the child's play
dress and pnttern were duly received. I
am convinced that this is ^//e dress for little
girls to wear at home. 1 believe it is only
a question of time when all thoughtful and
intelligent parents will adopt this style of
dress for their little girls under twelve
years of aije.
With many thanks for your kindness, I
remain, yours truly,
Mrs. Laura F. Kiukpatkick,
Presiding teacher at the
"Orphans Home."
7y\
RS. C. D. NEWELL'S DIVIDED
* *
Skirt on a Yoke requires five
yards of Jennetta Silk.
Upon receipt of
$4
and your waist
measure, we will send, express paid, a
tissue paper pattern and five yards of
Jennetta Silk ; or
Upon receipt of
35
and your waist
and hip measures, and length desired
from waist to the bottom of the skirt,
we will send the finished garment ready
to wear.
1221 MADISON AVE., BALTIMORE, Md.,-
June 4,
'96.
/
DEAR MRS. NEWELL:I have received the divided skirt, and have worn
it since. I find it perfectly satisfactory in every respect. Please send nie another
skirt made exactly the same, with the pattern. This skirt is all that a skirt should
be. Yours, truly, M. R. Mackenzie, M. D.
(125)
over 38
inches,
$1.25;
over
45
inclies, 5r.
Sizes from .10 to .iS
. . .
"
40 to 45
....
"
over 45
....
Fast Black, 30 to 40
....
"
42 to 45
....
Silk, White or Black, 30 to AO, with Ba.
=
Silk, White or Blsck, 42 to 45, with Ba.
yUHP: Low Form
^
is best suited to
ladies having a full
developed breast.
When ordering
please give me
some idea of your
form and what kind
is wanted, high or
low form. Take
the measure over
the largest part of
the breast, from
under arm to under
arm.
No.
40
and up-
ward in size, ! make
a cloth back ofwh i te
silesia; for the ad-
ditional sum of
twenty
-
five cents,
45
and over
50.
All bust measures
$1.00
1.25
1.50
1.50
2.00
3.00
3.50
"
liiwgf itiiil liMvy breasts ;in' satisfactorily supported. Several of the meiubers of our society,
who have as nun li dittirulty as any one can have, found them good. I consider it the best thing I
have found in a seareli of forty years."
MltS. l'i;.VN('ls M. STEELK.
iMKS C. 1). NIOWKIif,. 17 Ai'K., '.M.
In the enclosed reprint of in\ paper, read belore tlie American (;> necobmieal
Society, yon will find a releiince to \onr iireasi Suppoitei'. In repnblishniLC the artii le in fuUer
form, I desire to put in a picture of tin' Supi>orter. l\indl.\ send nii' an idectrotype ot the cut.
l)i{.. 1U)15T. L. UK KINSON.
14:> L'linton Street. ISrooklvn. N. Y.
P.\TTHRX OF ANY DkESS SHOWN IN BoOK, PrICE 50 CeNTS.
For Measure Bl.'Xnks, ADiiREss
MRS. C. D. NEWELL,
223 Dickey Avenue,
CHICAGO, ILL.
(120)
Perfection
Breast
Support Form.
T
MANUFACTURED
BY MRS. C D. NEWELL.
HE Perfection
I^reast Support
Form meets a long-
felt want by every
woman and girl,
from the age of i6,
for house wear,
whether she be
wedded to the stiff-
ness of a corset, the
latest Paris fashion,
or a convert to the
improved dress.
The Breast Support
Form will supply
deficiency of de-
velopment, or sup-
port the larger
breast ofthe stately,
fleshy lady, or that
ofthe dainty, plump
woman.
The high form
is best for those who need deficiency supplied, as a lady may
have a breast to support, yet not large enough to give her a
good foim in proportion to the size of her waist. After wearing
the Support for a time, and keeping the breasts in their proper
piace, the breasts will become firm and plump.
The support is made of a strong, light material (called Tamfico
F'ibkk), and is delightfully cool in warm weather. The cut shows
the mode of wearing and adjusting them with non-elastic straps
and buckles.
The low form is best suited to ladies with fully developed
breasts.
After wearing the supporter a {cw days, and getting it properly
fitted to the form, if the buckles become objectionable, cut them
off and sew the straps to the forms.
Bust measure from
30
to
38. Price,
31.00 by mail.
'ifg
I
Dress Reform Rooms
ESTABLISHED 1875
SEND YOUR
ORDERS FOR
HEALTH GAR-
MENTS SUCH
AS
Equipoise Waists
Jenness Miller Bodices
Empire Waists
Greek Girdles
Newell Bust Supporters
Elastic Abdominal Supporters
Ypsilanti Union Suits
Wool Tights and
Hose Supporters,
to--
^
. 5. W. Pike,
Central flusic Hall
Cor. State and Randolph Streets
Chicago
Illustrated
Catalogue Free
OVER
20 YEARS
practical
experience:
One of many
Testimonials
9;i()0 rjdXcwdOD .\\i:NrK.
STA. p. ( 'UlCACO.
As ;i iMt'iiiltcr ol' tlic ( 'lii(a.L;<i
'
Society tor tlii' I'roiiio-
tioii of I'liysiciil ( 'ultiirc and
(
'oncct Ihcss." 1 lake
]>U'asur(' ii! rccomim'iidiii.L; to stiulciits of llic aliovc siili-
jc(-t, Mrs. 8. W. Pike's (Central Musie 1 lall. ('lnCa,i;o) as a relial>le and
accominodating place to tind a tuli line of liealtli .u,aniients ; and as a corset
substitute, she carries a good variety of tlie Knipire Waist. ('leo[i;itra (Jirdle
and Grecian Cross Girdle. Sincerely,
March ?., 1S96.
Ella A, AV, Hoswell,
(1^8)
miss D). HWKh
Dressmaker
and purcbasins jisent
pnrcliasps everything
pcrtaininu' to dress or lioiiie,
at the lowest retail ])i-ife
WITHOUT ANY CMARGE TO YOU
Wedding
Trousseaux
bought and made
in the latest and
most
fashionalile styles
Reform
6ou)ns a SPigaltp
Select any of the gowns illustrated in this hook and write
us and we will send you measurin.L;- l)lanks witli lull
directions. We also furnish
Reform
anaerwear
of the most reliable
manufacture. Each order is oiven
our particular study, and satisfactory work is ouaraiiteed.
Choice
samples for vour selection will be sent l)y mail on
application. We also keei*
ourselves posted on the latest
and newest kinds of trimmings.
milHrKrsjnOre^ma^
will find it profitable to employ our service to match trim-
mings, and SMALL
DEALERS to secure goods not gen-
erally kept in stock bv them, which ix'rtain to women s
and
'children's
wear.
^
WE (^IVE MORE ATTENTION
than can generally be given by any mail order department
of any dry goods house to any orders entrusted to our care,
and our
experience enables us to exeTcise the utmost taste
and economy
in selecting
durable and well made goods.
Acme
Dress
Protector,
patented aphi 19th, 1887.
is one of the best,
most
serviceable and
economical
articles
ever invented
r^c^ be worn with all your dre^es.
Cashable
and
m^-yo-o 1--
Every one who has them
recommends
them to t'^^n ti em s c^ e a In to
wash
dresses, shirt waists, etc.
Prices,
ordiujiry
size. M)c
,
ai
^<
^
J
;
^100- exira larn'e, $1.25,
Acme
Dress
Shields
separate
;
oi.lma.>
s./-. .
:',.-)(.
per pair ;
large, 40c.; extra large, 50c.
MISS L. n.
ALDRICH,
Room 22, 34
East
Monroe St.,
CHICAGO,
ILL. 15
Years Experience
as a Purchasing
Agent.
(12!))
National Dress
ImprovEmEnt
Association.
5174. 518 VENETIAN BLDG.
Chicago, III.
To Mothers
:
We desire to call
your atteiuion to the im-
proved method of dress-
ing the babv. Just one
Pin, the Diaper Pin.
No tii^ht bands; absolute
freedom and comfort.
The celebrated
"
Ger-
trude" infant's outfitcon-
sists of three garments:
The knit underskirt, tak-
ing the place of the shirt
and pinning-blanket, the
flannel skirt and the dress
or slip.
The nightgown is made
of the same knit fabric as
the first garment, but
double fold; the bands
of a soft, pliable material
in fine cashmere or me-
rino.
The accompanying cut
shows the three garments
as worn together in the
"Genrude" outfit. The
garments are nicely fin-
ished and inexpensive.
Cut showing the form-fitting
Diaper.
TTThIS GARMENT IS SHAPED SO AS TO FIT
-i-
the body like a suit of underwear.
Heretofore, without any form or shape beyond the
"
square," the diaper was of equal size throughout
;
large at the waist and pressing tightly upon the body,
where it should be by all means loose. In this the
reverse is brought about, and the diaper folds as any
other (only cross-wise of the gore or seam), fits snugiy
at the waist, and large, roomy and baggy at the seat,
hardly allowing the garment to touch the body where
the irritation, eruptions and inflammation generally
exist.
All mothers having the comfort of baby at heart, and
we know all have, will receive a catalogue showing
cuts of each garment and quoting prices, by applying to
the address given above.
MISS MARl^VRET ()'(()>M:U,
Maiiaiter.
(130;
55i
.V
\i5 'o .

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